Halifax, MA - August 18, 2012 - Charlie Jacobs, of Boston, MA, rode to win in today's $25,000 Summer Showcase Grand Prix at Fieldstone Show Park. Jacobs and his mount, Flaming Star, were the last to enter the jump off, completing the course in 47.639 seconds. Jacobs' winning time was three seconds faster than the runner up, Sarah Segal, who finished in 50.717 seconds atop her mount, Tilgham. Mattias Tromp and Vosqinas finished close behind Segal in 51.144 seconds for third. 

 

Jacobs and Flaming Star. Photo by Tony DeCosta Photography. 

 

Today marks the second Grand Prix title for Jacobs and Flaming Star at Fieldstone Show Park. The same pair enjoyed a similar victory lap in August of last year. "This horse show has been good to me," Jacobs commented following the win, "my wife and children are all riding here and it's about an hour from our home in Weston, so we really make this a family event."

 

Earlier this week, Jacobs and his son, Charlie Jr., were among the top ten finishers in the $2,500 Equifit Hunter Derby at Fieldstone. Describing his experience participating in a class of that caliber alongside his son, Jacobs commented, "I'm really proud of him. He's been out of the ponies about two years now, and to see him ride out there on the grass field, jumping those jumps, has been really fun."

 

The Grand Prix jumper, Flaming Star, is a thirteen-year-old Irish gelding owned by CMJ Sporthorse, LLC. According to Jacobs, the bay horse is known for being quirky and quick. "He's one of those horses that the quicker you ride him, the more careful he gets," Jacobs explained, "I think some people saw that today when I ran to fence two in the jump offand still had the confidence that he was going to leave it up, and he did."

 

Jacobs went on to admit that he was aprehensive about competing in the Grand Prix. "I will share that, given the rain, I had anxiety about even going," Jacobs said, "But, I spoke with show management and they were very reassuring that they had plans to place the jumps and collaborate with the course designer to make sure that we were in drier sports. I thought the course, by and large, rode very nicely."

 

Jacobs accepts top honors from President, Scott Clawson, 

along with Jeff Rowe and Christopher Lang of Staples. 

 

Today's Grand Prix track, designed by Philip DeVita Jr., of Apopka, Fl, was certainly created with the weather in mind. "I basically found the best ground for my three combinations and created a plan from there," DeVita Jr. explained, "I tried to keep the flow of the horses going forward, because I think the feeling from the riders was that it would be a little slippery out there. All things considered, I thought the horses jumped great and they were comfortable jumping fast. It couldn't have worked out better."

 

Second place finisher, Sarah Segal of New York, NY, was also pleased with DeVita Jr.'s course. "I thought the field and the course were beautiful," she said, "my horse, Tilgham, is only eight, so it was a step up for him to do the Grand Prix. I thought it was really smooth and went well, so I was happy."

 

While Segal plans to take a week off before heading the Hampton Classic horse show in Bridgehampton, NY, Jacobs and Flaming Star will have a second chance to claim victory during the $25,000 SmartPak Equine Grand Prix on August 25th.

 

Shryoc Claims $5,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic

 

Allyson Shryoc of Montclair, NJ, topped today's High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic in the Grand Prix field at Fieldstone Show Park. Shryoc and her mount, Lysco H, were the only pair to successfully clear both rounds in today's course. Second place honors were award to Francesca Bolfo and Venus TR, while third place went to Katie Cox and Twilight with the fastest four fault score.

 

Lysco H is a ten-year-old Rhinelander owned by Shryoc. The chestnut gelding was imported from Europe by Chris Kappler and competed as a low Junior/Amateur Jumper throughout the 2010 season. According to Shryoc, Lysco suffered a strained tendon last summer and recently began showing again at this past winter at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fl.

 

Shryoc and Lysco H. Photo by Tony Decosta.

 

Following today's win, Shryoc commented on Lysco's performance in the field. "Today went shockingly well, considering the jumps were bigger than I'd ever jumped and the footing wasn't ideal," she said, "this is the first time I've jumped him over a meter 1.25 since his injury. I just tried to focus on my plan and not get unnerved and things went well."

 

Shryoc grew up in nearby Beverly, MA, and remembers showing at Fieldstone as a Junior. "I didn't recognize the place when I pulled in," she explained, "I knew I had been here and I was trying to place it because it looks so different. Then, I saw the indoor and the flashbacks came. I remember sitting in my car massaging my toes in the dead of winter while competing at indoor shows at a kid."

 

While returning to Fieldstone was a refreshing blast from the past for Shryoc, the lifelong rider now travels to show jumping events across the country with trainer, Chris Kappler. "I've ridden with Chris for fifteen years and it's been great. Now, my show schedule revolves around when I can get my mother or mother-in-law to watch my son," Shryoc joked.

 

For now, Shryoc plans to attend the American Gold Cup, held September 12 - 16 in Old Salem, NY, and the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fl, next season.

 

Kinsey Swings Second $2,500 Chronicle Child/Adult Jumper Classic Victory 

 

Alissa Kinsey and her mount, Grisset, topped the $2,500 Chronicle of the Horse Child/Adult Jumper Classic held this morning at Fieldstone. The pair finished double clean in 31.681 seconds to claim the top spot. Second place was awarded to Patricia Hennessy and Little Tom, who finished clear in 31.681 seconds, while third place went to Michelle Kamine and Will of Iron, with zero faults in a time of 33.190 seconds.

 

The winning mount, Grisset, is a fifteen-year-old Hanoverian imported from Germany by Kinsey herself. The dark bay mare, known as "Big Mama" in the barn, came to the United States five years ago and currently resides at the Kinsey's home in Danville, NH.

 

Kinsey and Gisset accept top honors. Photo by Tony DeCosta. 

 

Following today's victory, Kinsey commented on her friendly rivalry against second place finisher, Hennessy. ""Patty and I are neck and neck everywhere we go," Kinsey explained, "we are good friends and we both know it could be either one of us on any given day. I think it makes us better."

 

Kinsey added, "Today, I thought Patty's horse would fare a lot better than me out on the grass because he is small and careful. But, I just tried to keep my butt in the saddle to help keep her hoofs on the ground and things just fell into place."

 

Next week, Kinsey hopes to claim similar victory in the Child/Adult Jumper Classic held on Saturday, August 25, during the Summer Showcase II next week.