Wellington, FL – February 13, 2012 – With a little push from Margie Engle, the young and talented Christina [...]]]>

Christina Kelly rode YJC Graduate Roc My World (by Roc USA) to the WEF Open Hunter 3'3" Championship during WEF 4 as well as the reserve championship for their efforts throughout WEF 5. Photo By:SportFot.com.

Wellington, FL – February 13, 2012 – With a little push from Margie Engle, the young and talented Christina Kelly, has paired with Ken and Emily Smith of Ashland Farms, working together to open doors in her recently begun professional career starting with the Winter Equestrian Festival. It was Engle who suggested that the Smiths work with Kelly for her equitation training last year, and it surmounted to a match made in heaven for Ashland Farms.

Last year, Kelly took an unbeatable lead in the Winter Equestrian Festival’s jumper rings, winning an unprecedented seven individual $10,000 High Junior Sunday Classics, winning the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix and was on the winning team for the Artisan Farms Young Riders Team Event. She also was victorious in several WEF Open classes including the G & C Farms $8,000 1.45m and with an impressive total of 34 wins during circuit she earned the Pin Oak Trophy for the top Junior Rider for the second consecutive year. Her domination continued with numerous wins in Kentucky, Devon, Lake Placid, the Hamptons and Washington International.

Kelly also rode in six Grand Prix classes, riding to the top of the leaderboard in three, including the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix with her own mare, Camirage. She rode her way to the March Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month, and also was awarded with the season-long Show Jumping Hall of Fame East Conference Junior Jumper Championship for the extensive points she accumulated throughout the year.

When Margie pushed Kelly to ride with Ashland Farms, nothing short of the exceptional was expected. Located in the heart of Wellington, Ashland Farms is the ideal show stables for an up-and-coming professional such as Kelly. The facility is centrally located to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and is within walking distance of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Ken and Emily have worked together, leaving no stone unturned, developing Ashland Farms into one of the top sales farms in the nation and coaching their clients to numerous national titles in the 20 years since its conception.

“We helped Christina a little bit in the equitation last year when Margie sent her to us,” Ken explained. “We helped her ride some horses, and it turned in to more of a full-time position,” Ken explained. “It’s been going great, she’s won a class every week in the hunters and we really like her work ethic-she works very hard in the barn; she’s a real horse woman.”

Kelly explained that working at Ashland Farms is an eye-opening experience that she is learning from everyday. “It’s my first kind of job here, really exciting actually. I am able to work with lots of horses and am enjoying it very much,” Kelly elaborated. “The hunters is definitely different riding in comparison to what I have been used to. There is a whole different way of training the hunters, but I am loving it.”

With the guidance of Ken, Kelly has shown several horses to the top ribbons in the hunter ring. Roc My World with Kelly firmly in the irons, swept the over fences in the 3′3″ Open Hunters during WEF 4 taking the championship award. The team also earned the reserve championship for their efforts in WEF 5. Aboard Positano, Kelly claimed two second and two fourth place ribbons over fences, receiving the reserve championship for the second time in one week. “We look forward to what the future of Ashland Farms holds with Christina Kelly as our professional rider. She has all of the qualities of a wonderful horsewoman, and she has all those qualities we look for in a young and upcoming professional. She’s a great rider so it has really worked out super for us so far,” Ken stated.

Kelly has no plans of leaving, “I’m really enjoying it here-the experience is essential.” Kelly will continue to ride for the Smiths throughout the remainder of the year, and has their full support as she competes for Ireland in the European Championships in August.

“We want to open every door for her that we can,” Ken concluded. “She is a talented rider and we want to help her move forward to the best of our abilities in her professional career.”

For more information about the new partnership between Kelly and Ashland Farms, please visit www.ashlandfarmsfl.com.

THERMAL, CA (February 13, 2012) – In Saturday’s $53,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal [...]]]>

Duncan McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy (Contendro x Watzmann) get some serious air in Saturday night's $53,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI2*W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. © Flying Horse Photography.

THERMAL, CA (February 13, 2012) – In Saturday’s $53,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, New Zealand’s own Duncan McFarlane worked his magic aboard Simon Coxe’s Mr. Whoopy and posted the only double-clear effort in the class to capture their first Grand Prix victory of the season together. This dynamic duo has a history together, and a rich one at that! The pair cleaned up last September with a second-place finish at the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York and went home with a handsome check for $200,000. So it’s no surprise to see them back at it with their sights squarely set on making a return trip to Saugerties for this year’s Pfizer Million.

In Saturday night’s feature class at the HITS Desert Circuit, McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy, who has a habit of being a rather rambunctious partner, met the challenge of Course Designer Florencio Hernandez’s 1.60 meter World Cup course.

Only five of the original starters advanced to face Hernandez’s jump-off course and Great Britain’s Helen McNaught was the first to do so aboard her own Caballo. Colombia’s John Perez aboard his own Utopia followed McNaught into the ring and posted another clear round to join her in the jump-off.

Three trips later, McFarlane cruised through the first round with ease as a sold-out crowd in the indoor arena cheered for what was shaping up to be an exciting, international jump-off. Adding to the excitement was Otavio Penedo of Mexico who piloted his own ES Carando Z to a clean round, making the jump-off total four with more than half the class still left to show.

Hernandez’s course seemed unforgiving as the next seven pairs all suffered jumping faults along the way. It was fence 11, a parallel oxer heading to the final fence, which gave the riders the most trouble. Just when it looked as though the line-up for the jump-off was finalized, 22-year-old Karl Cook of Woodside, California came into the ring for his second attempt at the course. Earlier in the round, riding Signe Ostby’s Uno De Laubry, Cook had a rail down on the very first fence of the course. On his second trip he teamed up with Signe Ostby’s Jonkheer Z and was able to crack the code to advance to the jump-off with the final clean effort of the opening round.

In the jump-off, Hernandez kept it challenging by bringing back his 10a-b combination and the pesky fence 11, which proved to once again be the downfall of the class as McNaught, Perez, Penedo and Cook each suffered a single rail down at that same fence.

McNaught and Caballo were first to go and finished the class in fourth place with four faults in 37.22 seconds. Perez and Utopia followed and couldn’t pull ahead of McNaught’s time. The pair ended the night in fifth place with four faults and a time of 37.61 seconds.

McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy were next to show and cruised through the timers in 37.39 seconds, leaving all the fences up and setting the Great American Time to Beat with two more left to show.

“I’m lucky, this horse is a superstar,” said McFarlane after the win. “This was a great class. The footing was spectacular and the new jumps are wonderful. The facility has really matured and HITS Thermal is a force to be reckoned with.”

Penedo and Cook each looked to challenge McFarlane’s pace, but came up short with four faults and times of 34.76 seconds and 35.21 seconds to finish the class second and third, respectively.

After the class McFarlane made his intentions to qualify for the Pfizer Million clear.  “[Mr.] Whoopy has really come into his own in the last year or so. This year, we will be going to Saugerties for the [Pfizer] Million. It’s our big event of the season and I can’t wait to go for it again.”

McFarlane and the rest of the High-Performance riders showing this winter at the HITS Desert Circuit still have plenty of opportunities to bank their qualifying classes and some serious cash. The second half of the circuit will offer eight more Grand Prix, including two more World Cup Qualifiers and the season finale $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach, Sunday, March 11.

$50,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI 2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1 MR WHOOPY 2002 HAN s. Contendro x Watzmann
DUNCAN MC FARLANE / SIMONE COXE 0-0/37.39 $17,490

2 ES CARANDO Z 2000 ZANG g. Caretano x Le Mexico
OTAVIO PENEDO / OTAVIO PENEDO 0-4 $10,600

3 JONKHEER Z 2002 ZANG s. Jetset-D x Skippy II
KARL COOK / SIGNE OSTBY 0-4 $7,950

4 CABALLO 1995 HOL g. Coriano x Reichsgraf
HELEN MC NAUGHT / HELEN MC NAUGHT SHOWJUMPING 0-4 $5,300

5 UTOPIA 2001 KWPN m. Ircolando x Notaris
JOHN PEREZ / JOHN PEREZ 0-4 $3,180

6 UNO DE LAUBRY 1997 BWP s. Galoubet A x Laudanum xx
KARL COOK / SIGNE OSTBY 4 $2,385

7 LARICCELLO 1999 OLD g. Lord Pezi x Cordalme Z
HELEN MC NAUGHT / ALISON HEAFEY 4 $1,590

8 KATIE RIDDLE 2000 BRN m. Kolibri x Almero
JOHN MC CONNELL / RANCHO CORAZON LLC 4 $1,325

9 UITTERAARD 2001 KWPN g. Numero Uno x Burggraaf
MICHELLE SPADONE / ALEJANDRO RODAL 4 $1,060

10 WARCO VD HALHOEVE 1999 BWP g. Darco x Lumpaci
ALI NILFORUSHAN / KATIE HARRIS 8 $1,060

11 GREEN SLEEPS VIOCO 1998 BWP g. Nabab de Reve x Landino
MARK WATRING / HORSEWORKS ETC INC 8 $530

12 TAUNUS 2000 KWPN g. Koriander x Exkurs xx
FRANCIE STEINWEDELL-CARVIN / PRENTISS PARTNERS 12 $530

Wellington, FL – February 11, 2012 – Margie Engle (USA) and Indigo emerged victorious in the $125,000 FEI World Cup™ Qualifier Grand Prix presented by Spy Coast Farm under the lights in front of a crowd of 5,200 spectators at the Palm [...]]]>

Margie Engle and Indigo (Indoctro x Dutchman) © Sportfot.com

Wellington, FL – February 11, 2012 – Margie Engle (USA) and Indigo emerged victorious in the $125,000 FEI World Cup™ Qualifier Grand Prix presented by Spy Coast Farm under the lights in front of a crowd of 5,200 spectators at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday night. Engle and Indigo, owned by Gladewinds, Griese, Garber, and Hidden Creek, were the fastest of two clear rounds in an eleven horse jump-off over Darragh Kerins (IRL) and Lisona, owned by Kevin Babington. Pablo Barrios (VEN) and G&C Quick Star II, owned by Gustavo Mirabal, were third.

Week five of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will conclude tomorrow. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Tonight’s course in the International Arena was designed by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil. Jorge got 11 clear rounds out of the original 45 starters over his first round course and concluded the night with an exciting jump-off track that left Engle and Kerins in first and second. Engle and Indigo, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Indoctro, finished the course clear in 45.61 seconds. Kerins and Lisona went clean in 48.42 seconds.

Pablo Barrios (VEN) and G&C Quick Star 11 finished third with the fastest four-fault round. The pair had a rail early on in the course, but had the time in hand in 38.31 seconds. Kent Farrington (USA) and RCG Farm’s Uceko finished fourth with an unfortunate rail at the last fence on course and a time of 38.91 seconds. Richard Spooner (USA) and Cristallo, owned by Show Jumping Syndications International, also had four faults in 39.20 seconds and finished fifth.

Margie Engle and Indigo with ringmaster Cliff Haines, Lisa and Robert Lourie of Spy Coast Farm, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, and owners Selma and Ken Garber. © Sportfot.com

Margie Engle is currently leading the North American East Coast League World Cup Qualifying Rankings. She and Indigo have won many classes this season, including the $50,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix during Equestrian Sport Production’s Holiday and Horses competition in December. Indigo has had some time off since then and this was his first big class back.

Engle explained that she did a 1.40m class on Wednesday and the gelding felt nice and fresh. In tonight’s class, she noted, “He jumped super the first round, almost a little too fresh. He was kind of kicking out over the top of the jumps, but he was really trying hard. I kind of lucked into it. As the jump-off went there were a lot of rails in different places. It was a pretty careful jump-off. I just kind of went medium. Where I went in the order was kind of lucky and I just tried to go clean.”

Engle has had Indigo for almost two years now. She praised the horse’s scope and attitude. “I just like that he’s such an energetic horse and he loves what he’s doing,” she smiled. “He makes my job really easy because he’s very enthusiastic. I don’t have to do much; I just kind of steer him to the jumps and he takes you all the time. He’s got a lot of blood and really enjoys jumping. He’s very, very smart and a real trier. He’s getting a lot of seasoning under his belt and he seems to be getting better and better.”

Engle commented on tonight’s course, noting, “I thought Gui did an excellent job. He had almost a perfect course. Only two clean in the jump-off. It was an appropriate course, big and difficult for a World Cup class. When I walked the jump-off, I thought it was going to be difficult and I didn’t think there was going to be a ton clean. I was happy with how he jumped anyway. He was jumping so well. However he ended up, I was really pleased. He rode well and I was very happy with the night. I felt like he couldn’t have been much better.”

Second place finisher Darragh Kerins was also pleased with his horse’s efforts over the course tonight. Kerins’ mount, Lisona, is an 11-year-old Irish Sporthorse mare by OBOS Quality 004 x Porsch. Kerins started riding her two years ago in Wellington, but explained that she has been off for the last year and a half and started back just three weeks ago. Kerins owns the mare along with Kevin Babington and Maarten Huygens.

Commenting on the jump-off tonight, Karins acknowledged, “This class was coming a bit quick. Normally I wouldn’t have jumped that fast, but the Nation’s Cup is coming up in a couple weeks and I figured I had to get her going to warrant a place on the team. It worked out great; she’s great. She doesn’t have much mileage; this is probably the biggest class she’s ever jumped.”

“I was just delighted with the way she jumped the first round,” Kerins said. “I saw the way the jump-off was happening and Margie went clean. I was happy to go in and jump another clean. I was just happy that I had a relaxed round and the mare jumped well.”

Third place finisher Pablo Barrios and G&C Quick Star 11 went early in the order and took a chance going fast. “I had to go fast. I was fourth in the order and I always have the fast Margie behind me,” Barrios laughed. “This is the first time I’ve seen her go slow. I really tried to go fast. She’s very fast on her own. Unfortunately we had a rail down, but we had the time.”

“She came in the same situation as Margie’s horse, with a long rest,” Barrios said of his mare. “I’m very happy that she jumped well and she is in good shape after a long rest. She feels better than ever. I agree it was an excellent course. We cannot forget that we came from 107 horses (on Thursday) and cut to this. What we saw today were the best of a lot of horses, and it was still an excellent result.”

Tonight’s class was sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, whose owners Robert and Lisa Lourie were present at the competition and were the title sponsors of the Spy Coast “Breeding” week. “Obviously we’re very proud to be able to support a World Cup and to have such an elite group of riders in it,” Lisa Lourie stated. “It’s great fun to sponsor here at WEF. It’s terrific to be able to meet all of the riders and see all of these fantastic horses go. As far as I’m concerned, it’s great to be able to promote breeding in America and have the young horse show. Every one of these folks has young horses in their backyard and we’re trying to get them out and start a new market here in Wellington at the Winter Equestrian Festival. It’s a great opportunity and WEF has worked very closely with us to make it happen and we’re going to continue with it.”

Final Results: $125,000 Spy Coast Farm CSI 3*- World Cup™ Grand Prix
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1. INDIGO: 2000 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Indoctro x Dutchman
MARGIE ENGLE (USA), Griese, Garber, Hidden Creek & Gladewinds: 0/0/45.61

2. LISONA: 2001 Irish Sporthorse mare OBOS Quality 004 x Porsch
DARRAGH KERINS (IRL), Kevin Babington: 0/0/48.42

3. G&C QUICK STAR 11: 2000 KWPN mare by Quick Star x Grannus
PABLO BARRIOS (VEN), Gustavo Mirabal: 0/4/38.31

4. UCEKO: 2001 KWPN gelding by Celano x Koriander
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), R.C.G. Farm: 0/4/38.91

5. CRISTALLO: 1998 Holsteiner gelding by Caretino x Cicero
RICHARD SPOONER (USA), Show Jumping Syndications International: 0/4/39.20

6. URICO: 2001 KWPN gelding by Zandor Z x Fedor
MARIO DESLAURIERS (USA), Jane F. Clark: 0/4/40.47

7. HH LET’S FLY: 1999 Hanoverian gelding by Lordanos x Forrest
RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA), Double H Farm: 0/4/41.84

8. DERLY CHIN DE MUZE: 2003 BWP mare by For Pleasure x Nabab de Reve
ERIC LAMAZE (CAN), Torrey Pines & Ashland Stables: 0/4/42.87

9. TACKERAY: 2000 KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Sandro
BEN MAHER (GBR), Emma Phillips: 0/4/43.40

10. BELLA DONNA 66: 2003 Holsteiner mare by Baldini II x Calido I
MEREDITH MICHAELS-BEERBAUM (GER), EOS Sport: 0/4/48.50

11. OSIRIS: 1996 KWPN gelding by Polydox x Lucky Boy
GEMMA PATERNOSTER (GBR), Gemma Paternoster & Julia Harrison Lee: 0/15/60.13

12. TEIRRA: 2000 KWPN mare by Tolano Van Het Riethof x Aldatus
LAURA KRAUT (USA), Stars & Stripes: 4/70.09

Wellington, FL – February 9, 2012 – It was a great afternoon for grand prix riders Kent Farrington (USA) and Richie Moloney (IRL) at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) as each took home the top share of prize money [...]]]>

Kent Farrington and Uceko (Celano x Koriander). Photo © Sportfot.com.

Wellington, FL – February 9, 2012 – It was a great afternoon for grand prix riders Kent Farrington (USA) and Richie Moloney (IRL) at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) as each took home the top share of prize money in a split class for round five of the WEF Challenge Cup Series. Held in a ‘California Split’, the class awarded two sets of placings, each with $32,000 distributed due to the large number of entries.

Week five of the FTI WEF, sponsored by Spy Coast Farm, will run February 8-12. The highlight class of the week is Saturday night’s $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, presented by Spy Coast Farm. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Guilherme Jorge of Brazil set the course in the International Arena for today’s $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 with a total of 107 starters. The day’s class was split into two with equal prize money given to each section. The jump-off scored the clear rounds from both sections together to determine the overall standings. The standings will also help determine the qualifiers for Saturday night’s World Cup grand prix.

Fifty-four riders started today in Section A of the Challenge Cup class, with nine entries jumping clear. Another fifty-three followed, with eight entries clearing the course. A combined jump-off with those 17 horses and riders resulted. Twelve others jumped the course clear only to finish with a single time fault in Jorge’s tight time allowed.

Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra (Voltaire x Flagmount Diamond). © Sportfot.com.

In the jump-off, seven entries completed the course without fault. The fastest time belonged to Kent Farrington and RCG Farm’s Uceko, who stopped the clock in 40.77 seconds for the win in Section A. Richie Moloney and Equinimity LLC’s Slieveanorra finished in 41.23 seconds for the win in Section B.

The top three finishers in section A included Farrington and Uceko, Quentin Judge (USA) and Double H Farm’s HH Carotino with a time of 42.12 seconds in second place, and Darragh Kenny (IRL) and The Wannahave Group’s Wannahave with a time of 44.54 seconds in third.

Section B saw Moloney and Slieveanorra on top, with Kate Levy (USA) and Vent Du Nord in second in 43.12 seconds, and Beezie Madden (USA) riding Abigail Wexner’s Simon in third with a time of 45.04 seconds.

Farrington’s mount Uceko is an eleven-year-old KWPN gelding by Celano x Koriander. Describing Uceko and the inside turns he made in the jump-off, Farrington stated, “He’s not naturally a super fast horse across the ground, but he’s a big jumper and he’s very brave, so he can do really short turns to big fences. It was good for me to practice that and still be competitive in the class without having to run him off his feet today.”

Farrington is already qualified for Saturday night’s World Cup grand prix through his FEI ranking, so he was not concerned with topping the class standings for that reason. “I did my normal round and did what the horse needed to do at this stage of the circuit. It was good for him to get into the ring a few times and get into more of a rhythm. With him, it’s just getting him to pay attention and getting him back up to speed, but he felt good today; we’ll see on Saturday,” he said.

Richie Moloney’s mount Slieveanorra is a ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Voltaire x Flagmount Diamond. Commenting on his round in the jump-off, Moloney explained, “He spooked at that second jump in the first round, so I looked at the inside turn and decided not to do it before I started. He’s a very quick horse anyway, so I knew I’d be quick enough going around. Back to the in and out, I went around also. He’s nearly always the quickest, even if you have one down, even in the first round. He’s just naturally a very quick horse.”

Moloney has had Slieveanorra since June. He explained that his brother Eddie used to ride and own the horse in Ireland. “When he was an eight-year-old, he won the national championships in Ireland with my brother. My sponsor Equanimity bought him from my brother, and I’m very happy to have him,” Moloney smiled. “I was home a few times and saw him and wished I had him, so I’m very happy now! He’s always very consistent. He’s thereabouts every day in the prizes.”

Farrington and Moloney each commented on today’s course, praising Guilherme Jorge on narrowing down the entries for the jump-off. Farrington noted, “I think it’s always hard to build with that many, whether they split the class or not. You’re trying to use it as a Grand Prix qualifier to sort out the better half of the field without making the course diabolical. I thought it was well-built. Both last week and this week they’ve done an excellent job. If you looked at a combined field of 107 horses to have 17 clear is a pretty incredible job. Just like last week, there were 80 in the class with 10 clear. Both of those are signs of really good course building, especially here with so many good riders and good horses. It’s a high level of riding. The time allowed was well done where you had to go a little bit. Maybe it made some people make some mistakes. There were a bunch of rounds that were just a tick over. I’d say that was very good use of time allowed today.”

Moloney agreed, “It was a very good job last week and this week so far. Without it being stupid big, there have been little things here and there to catch people.”

Final Results: $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 Section A
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1. UCEKO: 2001 KWPN gelding by Celano x Koriander
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), R.C.G. Farm: 0/0/40.77

2. HH CAROTINO: 2002 Holsteiner gelding by Caretino x Corrado I
QUENTIN JUDGE (USA), Double H Farm: 0/0/42.12

3. WANNAHAVE: 2003 KWPN gelding by Manhattan x G. Ramiro Z
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), The Wannahave Group: 0/0/44.54

4. STAR POWER: 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Quick Star
IAN MILLAR (CAN), Team Works: 0/0/47.09

5. TACKERAY: 2000 KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Sandro
BEN MAHER (GBR), Emma Phillips: 0/4/40.52

6. CHILL R Z: 2003 Zangersheide stallion by Chellano Z x A Lucky One
CHARLIE JAYNE (USA), Pony Lane Farm: 0/4/45.74

7. NOTRE STAR DE LA NUTRIA: 2001 SF stallion by Quick Star x Jalisco B
NICHOLAS DELLO JOIO (USA), Thelma Romero-Cloud: 0/8/42.24

8. MERLIN: 2002 Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding by Hors La Loi II x Emilion
JEFFERY WELLES (USA), Noel Love Gross: 0/9/52.70

9. OSIRIS: 1996 KWPN gelding by Polydox x Lucky Boy
GEMMA PATERNOSTER (GBR), Gemma Paternoster: 0/14/53.95

10. LANSDOWNE: 2003 KWPN stallion by Guidam x Wolfgang
YANN CANDELE (CAN), Ariel & Susan Grange: 1/77.05

11. RAGING BULL VANGELLIS S: 1998 BWP stallion by Nonstop x Feinschnitt I Van De Richter
NAYEL NASSER (EGY), Nayel & Sharaff Nasser: 1/77.15

12. WATCH ME VD MANGELAAR: 2003 KWPN gelding by Heartbreaker x Wolfgang
MATT WILLIAMS (AUS), Paul Williams & Karen Tuerk: 1/77.42

Final Results: $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 Section B

1. SLIEVEANORRA: 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Voltaire x Flagmount Diamond
RICHIE MOLONEY (IRL), Equinimity LLC/Richie Moloney: 0/0/41.23

2. VENT DU NORD: 1998 BWP gelding by Canadian River x Quidam De Revel
KATE LEVY (USA), Kate Levy LLC: 0/0/43.12

3. SIMON: 1999 KWPN gelding by Mr. Blue x Polydox
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/0/45.04

4. BIG STAR: 2003 KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Nimmerdor
NICK SKELTON (GBR), Beverly and Gary Widdowson: 0/3/50.64

5. TEIRRA: 2000 KWPN mare by Tolano Van Het Riethof x Aldatus
LAURA KRAUT (USA), Stars & Stripes: 0/4/42.41

6. QUINTENDER 2: 2001 Holsteiner stallion by Quinar x Contender
HENRIK GUNDERSEN (DEN), Emilie Martinsen: 0/4/46.49

7. VIGARO: 2002 KWPN gelding by No Limit x Polydox
SARAH TREDENNICK (USA), Wood Run Farm: 0/8/42.40

8. CHECKMATE 4: 1995 Hanoverian gelding by Contender x Pik Bube II
MEREDITH MICHAELS-BEERBAUM (GER), Octavia Farms LLC: 0/10/53.65

9. HH LET’S FLY: 1999 Hanoverian gelding by Lordanos x Forrest
RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA), Double H Farm: 1/77.02

10. AMARETTO D’ARCO: 2000 BWP stallion by Darco x Tenor Manciais
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Spy Coast Farm LLC: 1/77.10

11. BULL RUN’S LA BAMBA: 2001 Holsteiner mare by Lancer II x Carthago
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN (USA), Bull Run Jumpers: 1/77.32

12. FIFTH ESTATE 3E: 2001 Canadian Sport Horse gelding by Class Action x Emilion
HUGH GRAHAM (CAN), Kingridge Stables: 1/77.43

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions welcomes Spy Coast Farm as the title sponsor of week five [...]]]>

At December's YHS Finals, Lisa Lourie joined Three-Year-Old In-Hand and Jump Chute champion Armani SL Z (Asca Z x Cumano) with Jean Yves Tola, owner Linda Bakker, and handler Klaus Schengber

Wellington, FL – February 6, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions welcomes Spy Coast Farm as the title sponsor of week five competition at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The Spy Coast Farm CSI 3*-W “Breeding” week will run February 8-12, 2012 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

Week five will feature a $125,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier CSI 3*-W Grand Prix presented by Spy Coast Farm on Saturday, February 11 at 7 p.m. Other highlights include a $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix and $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday, February 12. The 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival runs through April 1, 2012, and will award more than $6 million in prize money throughout the 12-week circuit.

Spy Coast Farm has been a supporter of the FTI WEF for five years. The farm specializes in the breeding and development of top quality performance horses. With three locations along the east coast in East Setauket, NY, Lexington, KY, and Wellington, FL, Spy Coast attempts to take advantage of the best the U.S. has to offer by way of climate, veterinary services, show facilities, training and riding talent.

Spy Coast Farm runs one of the premier breeding programs in the United States and stands nine top stallions at stud for fresh semen collections, including: Amaretto D’Arco (Darco/Tenor Manciais), Baldev (Namelus R/Dageraad), Bretagne VDL (Cardento/Indorado), Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve/Capital), Far West (Muguet Du Manoir/Amour Du Bois), O’Splendido (Burggraaf/Voltaire), Quidam Junior (Quidam De Revel/Fair Play III), Vision Van ‘T Hazelarenhoekje (Clinton/Alexis Z) and introducing Cyklon (Cardento/Cortus).

Amaretto D’Arco, Spy Coast’s most popular stallion, covered over 24 mares last year, including the mares of at least six Grand Prix riders. Every attempt is made to collect semen while the stallions are showing, but if this is not possible (i.e. the stallion is in FEI or overseas), then Spy Coast sends frozen semen or offers another of their stallions.

Spy Coast Farm includes four to five of its own competition mares in its breeding program by collecting embryos for transfer during their competition schedule. “We have had very good luck with this,” Lourie explained. “For instance, the farm currently has four foals by Rolette on the ground and expects another next year. Rolette has not missed a day of work during this and indeed, won a Grand Prix the day after we had collected one.”

Spy Coast foaled 32 babies in 2011 (nine of them by embryo transfer) and another 25 foals are expected in 2012 (11 of those are by embryo transfer). Spy Coast plans to breed a similar amount for next year.

Lourie takes pride in breeding to Spy Coast’s own stallions “because they have great bloodlines and compete well,” she said. “I also want to know what they’ll put out.”
Lourie includes outside stallions in her breeding program. In the past, these have included: Coleur Rubin, For Pleasure, Coconut Grove, Numero Uno, Verdi and Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve.

“Although I aim to breed high level jumpers, I also breed a few good hunter types each year and have a few mares in my herd for this particular purpose,” Lourie stated. “I am currently hanging on to some of my best bred foals (particularly if they are fillies) in order to grow my program and to see how some of my matches work out. I have a new training and sales manager, Willie Tynan and of course, Shane Sweetnam to help me make some of the more difficult decisions regarding which to keep and which to sell.”

In addition to their weekly sponsorship at this year’s FTI WEF, the Lourie Family will once again present the Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show Series (YHS) in cooperation with The North American Studbook. In its second year, the YHS will host two events during this year’s FTI WEF. The first show will be held on Tuesday, February 7 prior to the fifth week of competition. A second show will be held on February 28 prior to week eight’s G&C Farm CSIO4* on February 29-March 4. The 2012 YHS Finals will once again be scheduled to take place at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in December 2012.

Lourie commented on Spy Coast’s involvement with the FTI WEF, “We enjoy the people and the fun that we have down here. It has become a big part of our life. We appreciate the high level of competition and when our young horses come to an age when they can compete here, it will obviously make the experience that much more enjoyable for us.”

“Everyone at WEF has been really very supportive of the whole young horse show concept,” she added. “I think it is a really good time to be breeding in America. People don’t want the expense that comes with traveling to Europe and shipping horses back. The more we breed in America, the more people can purchase horses over here. We have the resources and the talent. One of the goals of the young horse shows is to bring those animals to the people that are interested in buying them. WEF has been really helpful with that. They understand that concept of the investment in the future.”

As a part of the Spy Coast Farm Breeding Week 5 schedule of events, there will be several exciting educational events planned that are open to all and free to attend:

Monday, February 6: Jump Chute Clinic for the Young Horse: Monday, February 6, from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in Rings 7/8. This hands-on clinic will discuss the Jump Chute Dos and Don’ts. Learn from Handler Klaus Schengber and Judge Jana Olof Wannius about tricks and tips for schooling a young horse over the jump chute at home, including where to position an in-gate, ideal distances between fences and how to create positive experiences to maximize the horse’s performance in the competition chute. The clinic is open to all, free to audit, and will be followed by a cocktail reception.

Tuesday, February 7: How does reproductive technology fit into the daily life of the performance horse? Informal educational luncheon at noon in the Ring 7/8 viewing structure with Ed Squires, Director, University of Kentucky Equine Initiative. All welcome, lunch complimentary. Discussion to follow.

Wednesday, February 8: Arthritis – Understanding this degenerative disease. From 3:30-4:30 in the Sanctuary at PBIEC join the University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center in a presentation and discussion. All welcome, beverages complimentary.    

Thursday, February 9: Buying Frozen Semen from Europe and Collecting and Competing. Spy Coast Farm presents the WEF 5 Lunch & Learn, with speaker Ed Squires, Director, University of Kentucky Equine Initiative. 11:30-1:00pm in the Wellington Club. All welcome, lunch complimentary.

For more information on Spy Coast Farm, please visit www.spycoastfarm.com.

Andres Rodriguez and Aberdeen (Heartbreaker x Indorado). ©sportfot.com.

Week four of the FTI WEF runs February [...]]]> Wellington, FL – February 3, 2012 – Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez had a great morning at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Friday, earning the top two prizes in the $1,500 Adequan Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper Qualifier.

Andres Rodriguez and Aberdeen (Heartbreaker x Indorado). ©sportfot.com.

Week four of the FTI WEF runs February 1-5, and is sponsored by Adequan. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be making two appearances at the FTI WEF this week. The first will be before the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, February 4, and again on Sunday, February 5 before the Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Showing over a course set by Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, Andres Rodriguez jumped his horses Aberdeen and Fifty-Fifty to first and second place in the class of 35 entries. Ten went clear over the first round course to jump-off, and Rodriguez captured the two fastest times out of six double clear rounds.

Rodriguez showed first aboard Fifty-Fifty, a seven-year-old mare by Action Breaker x Darco, who he owns in partnership with Stephex Stables. The pair cleared the jump-off course in 37.775 seconds to take the lead. Several rounds later Rodriguez returned with Aberdeen, a seven-year-old stallion by Heartbreaker x Indorado. With Aberdeen, he was able to beat his own leading time in 36.997 seconds to take over the top spot, placing Fifty-Fifty in second.

Fifty Fifty (Action Breaker x Darco) and Andres Rodriguez. © Sportfot.com

Rodriguez was pleased with the success of his young horses and explained that he has high hopes for Aberdeen and Fifty-Fifty to become future grand prix mounts. Following the class he stated, “I am really happy that these two horses won first and second today because I sold some of my bigger horses and I replaced them with these younger ones, so the fact that they are winning classes already makes me feel that I did the right thing.”

“I got Aberdeen last summer as a six-year-old in Europe and he has been great,” Rodriguez detailed. “Fifty I have had a little bit longer, I have had her since last circuit. She was doing the six year olds but a little bit slower and taking more time. I really think that she has all the potential to go to the biggest level. I think they are both really good.”

Describing how the class played out, Rodriguez noted, “I was pretty fast with Fifty, but I knew that I had a lot of good riders behind me, so I thought that if I had a chance I was going to try to be a little bit faster with Aberdeen and then just make sure that I was going to win. The plan went great and both horses jumped really well.”

Following Rodriguez in the class, Carlos Ribas rode Campos & Miranda Investments’ Spirit Of Alena to third, jumping double clear with a time of 38.025 seconds. Matt Williams and Samantha Tuerk’s Ayla were fourth in 38.354 seconds, and Freestyle De Muze, owned by Equinimity LLC and ridden by Richie Moloney, placed fifth in 38.427 seconds.

Rodriguez plans to continue both horses in the Young Jumper division throughout the circuit and also hopes to step up to the 1.40m classes in the International Arena in a week or two to get them each more experience.

Final Results: $1,500 Adequan 7 Year Old Young Jumpers

1 ABERDEEN 2005 KWPN g. Heartbreaker x Indorado
ANDRES RODRIGUEZ, ANDRES RODRIGUEZ: 0/0/36.997

2 FIFTY FIFTY 2005 BWP m. Action Breaker x Darco
ANDRES RODRIGUEZ, ANDRES RODRIGUEZ: 0/0/37.775

3 SPIRIT OF ALENA 2005 OSP s. Paladijn x Admiral, bred in USA by Anne Fehring Koch
CARLOS RIBAS, CAMPOS & MIRANDA INVESTMENTS: 0/0/38.025

4 AYLA 2005 KWPN m. Sir Corland x Ramiro
MATT WILLIAMS, SAMANTHA TUERK: 0/0/38.354

6 VEGAS DU HOUSSOIT 2005 BWP m. Ogano Sitte x
CHRISTOPH SCHROEDER, GK PERFORMANCE HORSES: 0/0/41.396

7 CASCON 2005 ZANG s. Cassini I x Contender
DEREK BRAUN, SPLIT ROCK FARM INC.: 0/4/37.705

8 FEE QUIRA 2005 BWP m. Canturo x Sioux de Baugy
COLIN SYQUIA, EURASIA INC.: 0/4/40.989

9 OREGON 30 2005 ISH g. O-Piloth x Hattrick
AINSLEY VINCE, TRINITY FARM: 0/8/41.789

10 VALESKA 2005 SBS m. Vigo d’Arsouilles x Heartbreaker
CHARLIE JAYNE, PONY LANE FARM: 0/12/37.421

11 CRACK 31 2005 HOL s. Cassini I x Caretano
KEVIN BABINGTON, BROOKE CROZIER: 2/82.372

12 COULEUR LADY 2005 OLD m. Couleur Rubin x Landor S
BLAIR WILLMER, GLADEWINDS FARM INC.: 3/83.950

THERMAL, CA (February 3, 2012) – Grand Prix action got underway at Desert Circuit II yesterday as [...]]]>

Rich Fellers races through the course aboard YJC Graduate Colgan Cruise (Cruising x Clover Hill) in Friday's $32,000 Desert Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. © Flying Horse Photography.

THERMAL, CA (February 3, 2012) – Grand Prix action got underway at Desert Circuit II yesterday as West Coast veteran Rich Fellers piloted Chapman & Fellers’ Colgan Cruise to a win in the first of the circuit’s FEI classes, the $32,000 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. This week’s Desert Classic was the first of four $32,000 kick-off classes for High-Performance riders.

Course Designer Bernardo Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal posed a 12-effort course to 22 horse-and-rider pairs that saw nine move on to the second round. Fellers and Colgan Cruise were one of nine to advance and one of only two to go double clear.

“It was a nice technical course and just right for the first FEI Grand Prix,” commented Fellers.

After four trips, Fellers posted the first clear round in 44.48 seconds. Colgan Cruise was purchased by the Fellers and Chapman families with high hopes, but admittedly surprised her owners in this class.

“She is a young, up-and-coming Grand Prix horse and I wasn’t expecting much before the Circuit started. But I guess I was fooled,” said Fellers. “It was my first Grand Prix class of 2012 and it’s nice to come out on top.”

Fellers sat pretty until Michelle Spadone of Lake Worth, Florida challenged his lead in the last go of the jump-off aboard Redfield Farm’s Coco. She mastered the course, but couldn’t find the speed and posted a time of 51.79 seconds to clinch second place and ultimately present Fellers with the win.

Representing the fastest of the four faulters, Mark Watring of Thousand Oaks, California rode Horseworks etc Inc’s Green Sleeps Vioco to a third place finish. First to ride in the second round, Watring was out for the blue with one of the faster rounds of the day, but a rail down at the last fence of the course offered him a tough break.

Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, Ontario has seen her share of success so far at HITS Thermal and continued that tradition with a fourth-place finish yesterday. She rode Brian Gingras’ IV Ever to a four fault round in 43.80 seconds. Jill Humphrey of Sacramento, California rounded out the top five with a four fault jump-off round in 47.39 seconds in the irons of Leone Equestrians Inc.’s Kaskaya.

High-performance competition continues at HITS Thermal this week with the $53,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix indoors on Saturday evening and the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Sunday. Fellers started his week off with a blue ribbon and hopes to continue in the same manner, riding mounts in both remaining Grand Prix classes.

“I will be showing Flexible on Saturday night and McGuiness on Sunday,” said Fellers. “I have three different Grand Prix horses for each of the big classes and that’s kind of nice.”

$32,000 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1 COLGAN CRUISE 2002 ISH m. Cruising x Clover Hill
RICH FELLERS / CHAPMAN & FELLERS 0-0/44.48 $10,560

2 COCO 2001 KWPN m. Namelus R x Aramis Z
MICHELLE SPADONE / REDFIELD FARM 0-0/51.79 $6,400

3 GREEN SLEEPS VIOCCO 1998 BWP g. Nabab de Reve x Landino
MARK WATRING / HORSEWORKS ETC INC 0-4 $4,800

4 IV EVER 2001 KWPN g. Now or Never M x Indoctro
JILL HENSELWOOD / BRIAN GINGRAS 0-4 $3,200

5 KASKAYA 1995 HOL m. Lasino x Cicero
JILL HUMPHREY / LEONE EQUESTRIAN 0-4 $1,950

6 CASSIATO 1998 HOL g. Concerto II x Landgraf I
HARLEY BROWN / OAK PARK GROUP LLC 0-4 $1,440

7 GEORGE 2002 HAN g. Garant x Don Juan
JILL HENSELWOOD / BRIAN GINGRAS 0-4 $960

8 TAUNUS 2000 KWPN g. Koriander x Exkurs xx
FRANCIE STEINWEDELL CARVIN / PRENTISS PARTNERS 0-8 $800

9 SOCRATES DE MIDOS 1999 POR g. Golo x Sporran
MICHELLE PARKER / CROSS CREEK FARMS INC 0-12 $640

10 XEL-HA 2003 SLS m. Chapultepec La Silla (Fergar Mail) x Peregrino La Silla xx
MICHELLE PARKER / TULA PINNELLA 1 $640

11 REVENGE
SHELLEY FELLERS / SHELLEY FELLERS 1 $320

12 ASB CONQUISTADOR 2001 BWP s (ex Bush vd Heffinck, Clinton x Heartbreaker)
KARL COOK / SIGNE OSTBY 4 $320

As pre-circuit competition came to a close, Jonathan Millar of Ontario, Canada, found success in the weekend’s featured Grand Prix class after he placed first and second in [...]]]>

Jonathan Millar and Cantero Z (Cumano x Primo des Bruyeres) on course in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. ©ESI Photography

As pre-circuit competition came to a close, Jonathan Millar of Ontario, Canada, found success in the weekend’s featured Grand Prix class after he placed first and second in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Millar claimed the blue ribbon aboard Iron Horse Farm’s Cantero Z and then added a second-place finish aboard Contino 14, owned by Millar Brooke Farm, LTD.

Course designer Doug Russell of Ocala, FL set a first-round track that produced five clear rounds for the jump-off. Advancing to the jump-off along with Millar and his two horses where Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, FL aboard her own Lazaro; Patty Stovel of Chester Springs, PA and her own Carigor Z; and Hugh Graham of Ontario, Canada aboard King Ridge Stables’ Distant Star 3E.

“We got very lucky with another gorgeous day of weather,” said Millar. “I thought the course was designed just right. We had a great jump-off and my horses were just fantastic today.”

Millar and Cantero Z were the first to show in the jump-off and easily set the Great American Time to Beat at 37.864 seconds, which went untouched and earned him the win. Millar was also last to show in the jump-off on his second mount Contino 14 and rode nicely to the finish with a clear round in 38.777 seconds to sweep first and second place.

Stovel and her own Carigor Z produced a clear round in 39.368 seconds to ultimately finish in third. Jordan Coyne and Lazaro finished with four jumping faults in 37.939 seconds to which land them in fourth place.

Hugh Graham and Distant Star 3E posted a quick time of 37.264 seconds, but suffered eight jumping faults to settled in fifth place.

“The pre-circuit was very nice,” Millar commented. “The footing was great today and all the horses jumped well over the past few weeks. We really enjoyed it here. I’d like to thank Iron Horse Farm, the owners of Cantero Z. I hope to return at some point during the circuit to pick up some more Grand Prix classes.”

Amanda Flint and her former YJC Champion Superbad (Ludwig von Bayern x Kolibri) on course in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome at HITS Ocala. ©ESI Photography

$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome

Amanda Flint and her own Superbad kicked-off the second week of pre-circuit competition with a win in the first $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome of the season. Tracy Magness was in hot pursuit of Flint and rode Mr. & Mrs. Bartko’s Consulado to a second place finish. Millar warmed up for a Grand Prix victory by guiding Millar Brooke Farm Ltd.’s Calvin Klein to a third place finish in the Brook Ledge Open Welcome. Rounding out the top five was My Weber aboard Available Jumpers.com’s Available Heartbreaker in fourth and Maria Van Buskirk in the irons of her own VDL Theresa Lady in fifth.

$25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1 CANTERO Z 1999 ZANG g. Cumano x Primo des Bruyeres
JONATHON MILLAR / IRON HORSE FARM $7,500

2 CONTINO 14 1997 HOL g. Contender x Calypso I
JONATHAN MILLAR / MILLAR BROOKE FARM LTD $5,500

3 CARIGOR Z 2001 ZANG g. Caridor Z x Alnok Z
PATTY STOVEL / PATTY STOVEL $3,250

4 LAZARO 2000 KWPN g. Numero Uno x Equador
JORDAN COYNE / JORDAN COYNE $2,000

5 DISTANT STAR 3E 1999 CWB m. Class Action x Night Twist
HUGH GRAHAM / KING RIDGE STABLES $1,500

6 VIA DOLOROSA 2002 KWPN m. Numero Uno x unknown
DEREK PETERSEN / DEREK PETERSEN $1,250

7 GRANDE FINALE 3E 2002 CSH m. Jamestown x Chin Chin
DAVID JENNINGS / EMILY SHORT $1,000

8 TIBOR 1996 BWP g. Darco x unknown
AARON VALE / BONNIE SMITH $750

9 VICTORIA 2002 KWPN m. Andiamo x Hugo
JONATHAN MILLAR / BROOKSTREET STABLES $750

10 CENTRE ICE 2000 g.
KELLY SOLEAU / BRIDGE BROOK ARMS & SOLEAU $500

11 HH DAUPHIN 2002 KWPN s. Larino x Polydor
LAURA LINBACK / WOODRUN $500

12 GPS EVITA 2003 m.
CHRIS NELSON / LE BOCAGE LLC $500

“I should break my neck [...]]]> THERMAL, CA (January 30, 2012) – Helen McNaught took coming back strong from an injury to a new level when she captured Sunday’s $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard Alison Heafey’s Lariccello to cap off a week of action-packed competition at the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California.

“I should break my neck more often,” joked McNaught, who just two days before finished second aboard Lariccello in Friday’s $25,000 SmarkPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health,. “This is my first show back after I fell off at home. The doctor told me I could ride again in January and here I am. Who would have thought I would have been back so fast.”

Sunday’s Grand Prix was a great sequel to Friday’s class where McNaught went head-to-head with Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood in the jump-off where she lost by less than two seconds. The two met again on Sunday, this time with McNaught edging out Henselwood by seven tenths of second to take home the blue.

“Lariccello was a five-year-old when Duncan [McFarlane] bought him in Germany and I have been riding him for more than a year now. We seem to really like each other.”

McNaught of Woodside, California  and Lariccello were the top team of the 24 horse-and-rider combinations that challenged Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s (Munich, Germany) first-round track and the eight teams that moved on to the jump-off.

First to challenge Petersen’s eight obstacle jump-off track was Michelle Parker of San Marcos, California aboard Tula Pinnella’s Xel Ha. The talented duo almost made it home fault free, but the second-to-last rail came down. They finished with four faults in 47.06 seconds and in seventh place at the end of the class.

On the very next trip, Jill Humphrey of Sacramento, California and Leone Equestrians Kaskaya set the Great American Time to Beat in 50.50 seconds after they crossed the timers clear. At the end of the class, the pair finished in the fifth spot.

Humphrey and Leone Equestrian’s Kaskaya were booted from the top of the mountain one trip later when Henselwood and Brian Gingras’ IV Ever, went clear in 42.86 seconds to take over the lead.

Three trips later McNaught and Lariccello made the dash for the cash coming all the way home clean in 42.16 seconds to take the lead and the $15,000 in first-place check away from Henselwood. McNaught also finished ninth aboard her own Caballo.

“We had a great week. All of our horses were phenomenal,” said McNaught. “Duncan (McFarlane) was fourth with Mr. Whoopy and Caballo was tremendous and only had a time fault. Things are shaping up very well at HITS Thermal for us.”

Rounding out the top five in the class was Canadian Olympian John Pearce in third place aboard Forest View Farms Chianto.

With two Grand Prix in the books, McNaught and Henselwood are on their way to qualifying for this year’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. In addition to punching her return ticket the third-annual Pfizer Million, Henselwood also has her eyes set on qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.

“The horses just love it here,” said Henselwood. “I always like to use Thermal for a platform for the rest of my year. There is no better place to show in the winter.”

Show jumping at the HITS Desert Circuit resumes Tuesday with Desert Circuit II and most of the buzz is about Saturday night’s $50,000 Strongid® C2 X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, which will be the first of four FEI World Cup Qualifiers held during the circuit.

$50,000 EMO Grand Prix presented by Pfizer Animal Health
Horses in bold are graduates of the Young Jumper Championships

1 LARICCELLO 1999 OLD g. Lord Pezi x Cordalme Z
HELEN MC NAUGHT / ALISON HEAFEY 0-0/42.16 $15,000

2 IV EVER 2001 KWPN g. Now or Never M x Indoctro
JILL HENSELWOOD / BRIAN GINGRAS 0-0/42.86 $11,000

3 CHIANTO 1996 DWB g. Carano x Primus xx
JOHN PEARCE / FOREST VIEW FARM 0-0/43.58 $6,500

4 MR WHOOPY 2002 HAN s. Contendro x Watzmann
DUNCAN MC FARLANE / SIMONE COXE 0-0/45.66

5 KASKAYA 1995 HOL m. Lasino x Cicero
JILL HUMPHREY / LEONE EQUESTRIAN $3,000

6 KATIE RIDDLE 2000 BRN m. Kolibri x Almero
JOHN MC CONNELL / RANCHO CORAZON 0-4 $2,500

7 XEL-HA 2003 SLS m. Chapultepec La Silla (Fergar Mail) x Peregrino La Silla xx
MICHELLE PARKER / TULA PINELLA 0-4 $1,500

8 JONKHEER Z 2002 ZANG s. Jetset-D x Skippy II
KARL COOK / SIGNE OSTBY 0-4/55.57 $1,500

9 CABALLO 1995 HOL g. Coriano x Reichsgraf
HELEN MC NAUGHT / HELEN MC NAUGHT 1 $1,000

10 ANGELLI 1999 WES g. Acord II x Polydor
HARLEY BROWN / PAIGE HARRYMAN 2 $1,000

11 CHELLO Z 2000 ZANG g. Chellano Z x Alme
JOSEPHINA NOR LANTZMAN / RIDER 3 $1,000

12 CASSINA 39 2002 HOL m.
EDUARDO MENEZES / FAIRWAY FARMS 4 $500