Upcoming Events at PBIEC

Flavors Wellington Food + Wine Festival at PBIEC - Tickets are officially on sale for the Flavors Food + Wine Festival at PBIEC, hosted on Friday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. Michael Matone, a nationally acclaimed Legends of Vegas Tribute Artist, will be the headline performer for 11^th annual Flavors. Over a dozen wineries and more than 20 restaurants will be at the biggest foodie event yet in Wellington. Dance the night away and indulge in the best food and drink that Wellington has to offer! For tickets, please visit:  https://www.wellingtonchamber.com/events/event/flavors-2014/. For more information, visit http://www.wellingtonchamber.com/.

ESP Spring Horse Show Series - Just because the FTI WEF is over, doesn't mean the world-class competition is. The ESP Spring Horse Show Series features five weeks of top hunter/jumper competition April 2 through May 11, 2014. ESP Spring 1-3 Shows will feature a $25,000 USEF Ranked Grand Prix each week, sponsored by Equiline, 2kGrey, and Nutrena. ESP Spring 1-4 Shows will feature a $10,000 Open Stake each week. ESP Spring 1 features a special FEI Group IV Challenge for riders 12-18, and a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Classic will be held on Saturday during ESP Spring 3. ESP Spring 2 will host $1,000 Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunter Derby Classics, while $500 Pony Hunter Classics are on the schedule for ESP Spring 1, 3, and 4 shows. For more information, please call 561-793-JUMP or visit www.equestriansport.com for the complete prize list.

FEI Group IV Challenge at ESP Spring Horse Show Series - Week one of the ESP Spring Horse Show Series, running April 2-6, will host the unique FEI Group IV Challenge for the second year in a row. The FEI Group IV Challenge is open to a total of 22 riders between the ages of 12 to 18 years of age. Riders are invited by the horse show through their National Federations. Twelve riders will be invited from Canada and the USA, and 10 riders will be invited from foreign countries who are part of Zone 4 of the FEI. These is no entry fee for these classes, which provide a fantastic opportunity for riders from different countries to compete at the world-renowned PBIEC.

 ESP Spring 1 "AA" & Jumper Rated 4 - The first week of the ESP Spring Shows kicks off on April 2 and runs through April 6 at the Main Grounds of the PBIEC. Competition begins Thursday with the $10,000 Open Stake at 2:00 p.m. The FEI Group IV Challenge championship class will be hosted on Sunday, April 6, and the week will wrap up with the $25,000 Equiline Spring 1 Grand Prix Sunday afternoon beginning at 2:00 p.m.

ESP Spring 2"AA" & Jumper Rated 4 - Week 2 of ESP Spring runs April 9-13, 2014. The $10,000 Open Stake will start off the week at 1:00 p.m. at the Main Grounds of PBIEC, followed by the return of the popular $1,000 Pony Derby Classics on Saturday. The $25,000 2kGrey Spring 2 Grand Prix will serve as the finale event of the week on Sunday, April 13, at 2:00 p.m.

ESP Spring 3 "AA" & Jumper Rated 4 - Week 3 of ESP Spring will take place April 9-13. Following the weekly $10,000 Open Stake on Thursday, April 10, the third week of ESP Spring will host the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Classic On Saturday, April 12. The $2,5000 Equline NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Stake will follow on Saturday at The Stadium at PBIEC at 4:00 p.m. Show jumping action will continue at The Stadium on Saturday with the $2,500 Gold Coast High Jr/AO Jumper Stake. The $25,000 Nutrena Spring 3 Grand Prix will take place Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.

ESP Spring 4 "A" & Jumper Rated 3 - ESP Spring continues through May with its fourth week of competition, which runs May 2 -4. Amateur and junior rider jumper classics will be the highlight of week, beginning with the $1,500 Tackeria NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic on Saturday, May 3. Sunday's competition begins with the $1,500 2kGrey M & S Child Jumper Classic, followed by the $1,500 2kGrey M & S Adult Jumper Classic and the $2,500 Equiline NAL AO/Junior Jumper Classic. The $10,000 Open Stake on Sunday, May 4, will conclude the week's competition.

ESP Spring 5 Regional 2 - "C" Rated - The final week of ESP Spring will run the weekend of May 10 - 11, starting with the $1,500 Tackeria NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic on Saturday, May 10. Sunday will host the $1,500 2kGrey M & S Child/Adult Jumper Classic and the $2,500 Equiline NAL AO/Junior Jumper Classic.

The winner of the Equiline Young Rider Sponsorship was Chloe Reid of Washington, D.C. Reid was honored this past weekend with her award by Kelly Molinari of Equiline USA. Reid was part of a group of riders who wrote an essay, completed interviews, did sponsorship networking, and was observed for attitude, spirit, and performance during the AFYRGP Series. Reid will represent Equiline America by wearing their products, participating in advertising and outreach events, and provide feedback on the functionality of products. 

In addition to that main sponsorship, a hunter rider sponsorship was awarded to Hayley Barnhill. Also participating for the sponsorship were riders that were recognized for the following awards: Best Essay - Caitlin Ziegler, Most Creative Essay - Lucas Porter, and Best Interview - Nicole Bellissimo. The Equiline Amateur Sportsmanship Award went to Wilton Porter of Dallas, TX.

The awards were part of the "Bridging the Gap" learning series for riders competing in the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series at the 2014 FTI WEF. 

Sue deCone and Kelly Molinari of Equiline USA honor the sponsorship winners Hayley Barnhill and Chloe Reid. Photo � Lexey Hall.

Several other awards were presented on Sunday for the final week of competition in Wellington as well. For the second year in a row, Maher's mount Cella earned Jane Clark the Simba Run Perpetual Trophy as the owner of the open jumper who has earned the most prize money in classes held at 1.45m or more during the 2014 FTI WEF. Clark was also presented with The Harrison Cup Perpetual Trophy, which is awarded to the owner whose horses won the most jumper money in all of the open jumper classes held throughout the circuit. In addition, Cella's groomJoy Montgomerie was presented with the Oliver O'Toole Perpetual Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the groom of the horse who has earned the most money in the grand prix jumper classes.

Other awards included the Leading Lady Grand Prix Rider for the circuit, which was presented to Lauren Hough (USA) on behalf of Martha Jolicoeur of Illustrated Properties in memory of Dale Lawler. Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Artisan Farm LLC's Zigali P S were presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award for the overall circuit, which is awarded to the jumper whose style best exemplifies a show jumper based on scope, rideability, technique and competitive spirit. Lamaze and Zigali P S also won the overall WEF Challenge Cup Series Award. Sweden's Alexander Zetterman earned the Herm�s Talented Young Rider Award as the young jumper rider between the ages of 16-25 that has earned the most points in all FTI WEF FEI rated jumper competition. 

Week Twelve Wrap-Up: Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos Steal the Show in $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI 5*

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday with an exciting line-up of world-class show jumping and the presentation of special awards to round out a very successful winter circuit at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Although inclement weather caused Saturday night's classes to be postponed, the final afternoon of FTI WEF competition was blessed with beautiful clear skies and sunshine for Sunday's feature events.

 
Concluding the 2014 competition, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI 5* saw an exciting win for the world's number one ranked rider and 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medalist, Scott Brash (GBR), with his talented mount Hello Sanctos. British teammate and world #2 ranked rider Ben Maher took home the top bonus in the $100,000 FTI Consulting Rider Challenge for his incredible success throughout the circuit. Todd Minikus (USA) and Babalou 41 won the $100,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Final, and Tim Gredley (GBR) and Unex Omega Star topped the 1.50m series overall to earn a $25,000 bonus.

Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) designed the courses for Sunday's competition and set a challenging track for the finale grand prix featuring 38 of the best competitors from the circuit. Riders from 14 different countries were represented, including 17 Olympic veterans.

Seven entries from the the first round advanced to the jump-off, where four jumped double clear. Nineteen-year-old Ben Asselin (CAN) and Attache Stables' Makavoy began the jump-off with a clear round in 46.01 seconds to eventually finish fourth. Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm's Vindicat W upped the ante in 44.87 seconds to earn third place honors. Richie Moloney (IRL) and Equinimity LLC's Slieveanorra were faster in 44.64 seconds to take home second place honors. The final clear round belonged to Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos, who blazed through the course in 43.44 seconds to secure their victory. Last to go, Kent Farrington (USA) had the fast time of the jump-off in 42.72 seconds with Amalaya Investment's Voyeur, but had a rail at thefinal oxer to finish fifth.

"I have been coming second a lot to this man," Brash said, pointing to Maher. "So to win a class at the end is very rewarding and good for my team that has worked so hard for the circuit, because it is hard work. Sanctos was fantastic today. I gave him a rest when I first came here and then I started him back, and he felt just a little bit rusty and not quite jumping fit. I jumped two weeks and then I gave him last week off. This week he has just felt great and feels like he is jumping back to how he was, and I'm very happy going home looking forward towards Europe. There are a lot of big shows coming up with the championships and everything, so it is good to feel him in such good form early on in the year."

Brash and Sanctos were a new partnership when they were last in Wellington in 2012. That was before they won an Olympic team gold medal in London that year and went on to many other victories that led Brash to his current position as the number one ranked rider in the world.

Looking back on the progression of their partnership, Brash recalled, "It's a bit different now. Back in 2012 I had just gotten the horse. My owners bought the horse with the Olympic Games in mind, so we chose to come to Wellington because there is no better place to get as many rounds in as you can and get to know a horse like you can here. That is why we chose to bring him here then, but we were quite inconsistent. We had a win in the World Cup one week, but we had some bad rounds also. We were just getting to know each other, but since then we have just gone from strength to strength as a partnership. I must say, he is a fantastic horse and he is just an absolute privilege to ride."

Sunday's second place finish was a fantastic conclusion to the circuit for Richie Moloney as well with Equinimity LLC's Slieveanorra. The twelve-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Voltaire x Flagmount Diamond) jumped a great round and was very fast through the course. Moloney got the ride on Slieveanorra a few years ago after his sponsors, Equinimity LLC, bought the horse from his brother as a nine-year-old. The horse had won the nine-year-old national championships in Ireland and has gone on to great things.

"It is a very good finish," Moloney smiled after the class. "Slieveanorra is very good. It is nice for the horse to get his result here in the end. He was double clear week nine in the World Cup and finished seventh, so it is nice to end up second today. My plan was to go as fast as I could and try to leave the jumps up. Maybe I could have been a little bit quicker, but I am very happy with second."

There was long gallop down to the last oxer that caused rails for Beezie Madden and Farrington in the jump-off, but Moloney said he was not worried about that. "Maybe there was one less stride there, but it was a bit risky I thought. I just held steady and kept going on the stride that I knew he could jump from. I would just like to say well done to Scott, and I would also like to thank my owners and all of the staff who work very hard at the farm. It is nice to get this result for them. It is for everybody that works there."

Jessica Springsteen has been very consistent with top finishes throughout the circuit aboard Vindicat W, her twelve-year-old KWPN gelding (Guidam x Libero H) that Peter Charles rode to team gold alongside Brash and Maher in the London Olympic Games. Commenting on her circuit and another top placing, Springsteen smiled, "He has been jumping amazing. I had a week off last week, so he felt really fresh and ready to go. Every time I go out there he always tries his hardest. He never puts a foot wrong, and I could not be happier with him."

Springsteen explained where she thought she lost time in the jump-off, stating, "I was maybe planning on doing five strides to that black vertical so that I could swing back tighter to the oxer, but then the four just kind of showed itself, and I did end up getting a little bit stuck in that turn. I think that's where I could have been quicker, but every where else he was really good, so I was happy."

Brash commented on the day's course from Anthony D'Ambrosio and praised the success of this year's circuit.

"I thought the course builder did a fantastic job actually. It was big, it was hard, and to get seven clears was a good number," he acknowledged. "The jump-off I thought was very good and entertaining for the public. It is a really spectacular class. It's a shame it didn't run last night, but no one can help the weather. It is all credit to Mark Bellissimo, who puts on a fantastic tour here, and now with Rolex sponsoring it really brings the prestige of the show up to a top standard of high level sport. I think that is what everyone is looking for, and I think it's great."

Bellissimo was also thrilled with the circuit and the successful finale grand prix, and thanked title sponsor, FTI Consulting, for their longtime support.

"FTI has been an amazing sponsor for the last six years," Bellissimo stated. "In the genesis of the transition we have, this festival started at about $2 million in prize money and we have brought it to over $8 million, which is a spectacular amount of money. We are very excited about their commitment to the sport and that partnership that we have had over the years."

"We have really appreciated all of the great competition," Bellissimo added. "I don't think I have ever seen such an amazing number of jump-offs. Scott has been in a lot of them. I think in general it has been a great year. We are very excited about it and very excited about the future. There are a lot of things that we are going to be doing next year to make it even that much more significant, so thank you to everyone for all of their participation and all of their great work throughout the circuit."    

Maher had an unfortunate rail in Sunday's grand prix, but had an incredible circuit and thanked everyone who made his success possible.

"First I would like to say thank you to FTI Consulting," Maher stated. "It is a hard earned bonus, but it is a nice challenge to have from the beginning of the circuit. It was a great competition. A lot of people came and it was fun to watch the jump-off and not have the stress of being in it this time. I would have preferred to be in it of course, but it was a fun jump-off to watch."

"I have had a great circuit," Maher continued. "It was unfortunate today that I had a jump down, but I can't complain. All of my horses have been great and consistent. If somebody was to say at the start of the circuit that it was going to come together like it had, I would not have believed it. I am grateful for everything and looking forward to a short rest now."

Sunday's competition concluded a fantastic 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Equestrian Sport Productions would like to thank everyone for a wonderful circuit and looks forward to 2015. For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

Final Results: $500,000 FTI Consulting CSI 5* Finale Grand Prix

1. HELLO SANCTOS: 2002 SBS gelding by Quasimodo Vd Molendreef x Nabab de Reve
SCOTT BRASH (GBR), Lady Harris And Lady Kirkham: 0/0/43.44

2. SLIEVEANORRA: 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Voltaire x Flagmount Diamond

RICHIE MOLONEY (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 0/0/44.64

3. VINDICAT W: 2002 KWPN gelding by Guidam x Libero H

JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN (USA), Stone Hill Farm: 0/0/44.87

4. MAKAVOY: 2003 KWPN gelding by Hors La Loi II x Ahorn

BEN ASSELIN (CAN), Attache Stables: 0/0/46.01

5. VOYEUR: 2002 KWPN gelding by Tolano van't Riethof x Goodwill
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Amalaya Investments: 0/4/42.72

6. CORTES 'C': 2002 BWP gelding by Randel Z x Darco
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/4/43.72   

7. MYSELF DE BREVE: 2000 SFA mare by Quidam de Revel x Grand Veneur
MARIE HECART (FRA), Normandie Connection: 0/8/45.23

8. ZIGALI P S: 2004 KWPN gelding by Kigali x Palfrenier

ERIC LAMAZE (CAN), Artisan Farms LLC: 1/81.65

9. ROYCE: 2004 Oldenburg stallion by Caf� au Lait x Grandilot
MARGIE ENGLE (USA), Elm Rock LLC: 1/82.92

10. ASLAN: 2000 Danish Warmblood gelding by Aston x Blue Hors Agent
LJUBOV KOCHETOVA (RUS), Ljubov Kochetova: 4/76.38

11. ROTHCHILD: 2001 Belgian Sport Horse gelding by Artos x Elegant de l'Ile
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Sagamore Farms: 4/77.32

12. CELLA: 2002 BWP mare by Cento x Chin Chin

BEN MAHER (GBR) Jane F. Clark: 4/77.52

Jumper Highlights - Wednesday through Sunday

The final week of competition at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival

With the split class, the top three finishers in Section A were Foster and Melody des Hayettes Z, followed by Reed Kessler (USA) and Kessler Show Stables' Soraya de l'Obstination in 63.23 seconds, and Darragh Kenny (IRL) with Eva Castegren's Alpha VDL in 63.52 seconds.

In Section B, Deusser and Domingo led the way over David Will (GER) and Eveline Kraus's Black Jack 163 in 63.25 seconds, followed by Eiken Sato (JPN) with Stephex Stables' Q Royal Palm Z in 63.55 seconds.

Also showing in the International Arena on Wednesday, Ben Maher (GBR) guided Amy Carr's Charmeur to victory in the $1,500 Adequan 7-Year-Old Young Jumper speed class. Laura Chapot (USA) won the $1,500 8-Year-Old Young Jumper speed round with Out of Ireland, owned by The Edge. Chapot was also second in the 7-Year-Old class with Mary Chapot's Cast a Dream.

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued with its twelfth week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on

Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) set the track for Thursday's Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup competition, which saw 69 competitors in round one with 15 clear rides to advance to the jump-off. Eight jumped double clear over the short course, where Madden and Abigail Wexner's Cortes 'C' blazed through the course in 36.91 seconds for the win, second to last in the jump-off order. The pair surpassed the time of last week's winners, Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC's Zigali P S, who finished second in 37.74 seconds. Jessica Springsteen (USA) had another great finish with Stone Hill Farm's Vindicat W, placing third with their time of 38.19 seconds.

A $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class was held earlier on Thursday with a win for Ireland's Darragh Kenny and Postage Stamp Farm LLC's Prof de la Roque. Seventy-six entries showed in the one round competition with 14 clear rounds. Kenny and the eleven-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Kannan x Damiro B) completed the fastest round in 59.54 seconds for the win.  

Also showing in the International Arena on Thursday, the $10,000 Gut Einhaus 5-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic was held, awarding top honors to every entry with a clear round. There was an eight-way tie for the championship between Carracci Blue and Christina Kelly, Gotham Enterprizes LLC's Nolita and Vasco Flores, Haylee Jerkins' El Corda and Sarah Sturges, North Star's Char Grey and Rodrigo Pessoa, Gustavo Mirabal's G&C Clemenza and Luis Miguel Martinez, Eldato and Shaine Brooks, Jocky Club DB and Maggie Mcalary, and Windosr Farm Sales' Forget Me Not Windsor Z and Renato Troiani.

The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) hosted classics for the young jumpers on Friday during its twelfth and final week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. In the $20,000 Adequan� 8-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, Nick Dello Joio (USA) and Boomerang were the winners. Sloane Coles (USA) and WEC l'Ami Noir topped the the $20,000 Adequan� 7-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, and Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Dakota VDL won the $15,000 Adequan� 6-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic.

All of the classes were held with the option to either jump-off immediately following their round or wait until after the first round of competition. In the $20,000 Adequan� Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic, 61 entries showed with eight to jump-off, and five double clear rounds. Nick Skelton (GBR) led the way with Aristio for most of the class, jumping off early in 38.60 seconds, but eventually moved into third place. Adam Prudent (FRA) jumped off after his round with Henri Prudent's Si Bella and briefly took the lead in 38.09 seconds, but was pushed into second. Nick Dello Joio (USA) chose to return for his jump-off round at the end, and took over for the win with Emilie Martinsen's Boomerang in 37.35 seconds.

The $20,000 Adequan� Seven-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic was featured at the FTI WEF on Friday afternoon with 20 out of 72 entries making it through to the jump-off and 13 double clear rounds over Anthony D'Ambrosio's short course. Early on, Sloane Coles (USA) and The Windwood Group's WEC l'Ami Noir set a very fast pace in 30.84 seconds that would hold on to the lead through the end. Ronan McGuigan (IRL) and Blythe Masters' Chapeau finished second in 30.96 seconds. Tim Gredley (GBR) and Unex Billy Dream placed third in 31.65 seconds, and Ramiro Quintana (ARG) and St. Bride's Farm's Tua Efele finished fourth in 32.22 seconds.

The $15,000 Adequan� Six-Year-Old Young Jumper Classic was the first class in the International Arena at PBIEC on Friday with a win for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Hyperion Stud LLC's Dakota VDL. The six-year-old Holsteiner stallion (Casall x Contender) was purchased from VDL Stud two years ago for the highest bid of $210,000 at the 2012 WEF Sport Horse Auction in Wellington. Kenny started riding the horse this year in the middle of January and showed throughout the winter at the 1.30m level.  

The $100,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Final concluded on Sunday with a win for Todd Minikus (USA) and Babalou 41, a nine-year-old Oldenburg mare by Balou du Rouet x Silvio I.

The competition saw 84 entries in the first round on Saturday and the top 25% returned to compete in round two on Sunday, where their cumulative scores from both rounds were combined to determine the winner.Three riders chose not to return for the second round, leaving 18 entries to show on Sunday.

Todd Minikus (USA) and Babalou 41, Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and Caballito, and Daniel Deusser (GER) and Fyloe v/h Claeyssenhof were the only three to complete double clear rounds, and their times in round two served as the tiebreaker.

Minikus and Bob Haefner's Babalou 41 jumped double clear through both rounds and completed the fastest time of the competition in 48.78 seconds to earn top honors.Rodriguez and Arao Enterprises Caballito cleared the second round course in 49.97 seconds to finish second. Deusser and Fyloe v/h Claeyssenhof, owned by Stephex Stables and Double H Farm, finished third in 50.59 seconds.

As the conclusion to the twelve-week Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series, Sunday's class served as the final allocation of points for the overall standings for the $25,000 Leading Horse and Rider Award. The bonus money was presented to Great Britain's Tim Gredley and Unex Omega Star as the horse and rider combination who gained the most points throughout all twelve classes of the circuit. Unex Omega Star is a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Quick Star x Quatoubet du Rouet, owned by Unex Competition Yard Ltd.

Week 12 Classic winners:  

$15,000 Engel & V�lkers SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20  

$10,000 Sleepy P Ranch SJHOF High Junior Jumpers - Victoria Colvin and Every Way  

$10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumpers - Stephanie Novas and Amyra R  

$10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Danielle DeVincentis and Goalgetter de la Trange  

$10,000 Charles Owen Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Chelsea Babcock and Bull Run's Believer  

$10,000 Martha Jolicoeur, Illustrated Properties Adult Jumpers 18-35 - Laura Sexton and Jessy du Breau  

$10,000 Classical South Florida Adult Jumpers 36-49 - Nancy Hooker and Corianos Boy  

$10,000 Maria Mendelsohn, Illustrated Properties Low Junior Jumpers - Cloe Hymowitz and Bon Vivant  

$10,000 Horseware Ireland Don Little Masters - Michael Blake and Dignity

Week 12 Champions:  

FarmVet Adult Modified Jumpers - Natalie Horween and Cocoma 2  EnTrust Capital Children's Jumper 14 & Under - Taegen Long and Pocohontas  

National Disaster Solutions Children's Jumper 15-17 - Tyler Mayer and Windelinde  

Griffis Residential Children's Modified Jumpers - Nicolas Horgan and Zico T  

Equiline Low Adult Jumper 18-35 - Dean Dignelli and Vintage  

Low Adult Jumper 36 & Over - Nancy Benson and Quannan de Bray; Suzanne Hallene and Donna Karan  

Crown Family Low Children's Jumper - Victoria Craig and Bellalina; Lindsay Levine and Glen Mentino    

Scott Stewart and Golden Rule were crowned division champions of the Perfect Products High Performance Hunter division on Friday morning of the final week of the FTI WEF. Stewart and Golden Rule, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Stephanie Danhakl, topped the division after finishing first in three over fences classes and second under saddle. The pair also placed fourth in another over fences round.

The reserve champion for the division was Summer Place, ridden by Haylie Jayne and owned by Pony Lane Farm. Jayne piloted Summer Place to sixth, second, fourth, and second over fences and fifth under saddle.

Sara Ballinger of Marion, OH, and her 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding Wanderprinz finished first in the Ariat National Adult Medal on Friday morning of week twelve at the FTI WEF. Ballinger and Wanderprinz were the final pair to enter the ring, earning a high score of 86 to return for the test.

The top four riders were called back for further testing. Meredith Combs was first to test, scoring an 82 with Cassius in the first round before ultimately finishing second. Third place went to Emma Butchard and Conquest. The pair earned an 83 in the first round. Barri Platt completed the top four aboard Avanti Maria, scoring an 85 in the first round and finishing fourth overall.

Deborah Perkins of Wellington, FL, and her 13-year-old Warmblood gelding La Fayette ended their 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) season on a high note, earning the division championship in the Hunt Ltd Amateur-Owner Hunters Over 35 division. The pair won both over fences classes on day two of the division after finishing second to reserve champion Castle Walk in both over fences rounds on day one. Castle Walk, owned by Richard Prant and ridden by Nancy Hooker, was fifth and third over fences on day two and also placed second in the flat. Hooker and Castle Walk finished just behind La Fayette and Perkins, who edged them out by just one point.

Molly Ashe-Cawley of Newtown, CT, rode Kennzo to the top of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on the final Sunday afternoon at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Kennzo and Ashe-Cawley's win wrapped up the last week of the FTI WEF, presented by FTI Consulting, after 12 weeks of top-notch competition.

The hunter derby consisted of two rounds over fences over two days of competition, with the top 25 being called back for the final handy round in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Ashe-Cawley and Kennzo sat in third place after round one after earning a total score of 178 from the judges. She and Kennzo laid down a round worthy of a second round score of 193, totaling 371.

In a highly unusual scenario for the hunter ring, Ashe-Cawley's second round score tied her with eventual second place finisher Kate Ross, who earned scores of 172 in round one and a high score of 199 in the handy round with Friday Night. The tie resulted in a jump-off round, but after an unfortunate rail, Ross had to settle for second. Christopher Payne rounded out the top three aboard Walk This Way with a total score of 369 points.

Sara Ballinger of Marion, OH, won the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal Final on Sunday morning at FTI WEF. It was the second equitation win this weekend for Ballinger and Wanderprinz, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Wanderkoenig. The pair also won the Ariat National Adult Medal on Friday morning. Second place in the class went to Victoria Birdsall and RMF Voka D.N. Rachel Boggus of Indianapolis, IN, took home the overall series championship after placing third in the class on Sunday with Papillon 136.

Boggus and Papillon 136, her 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Lundy x Guidam de Dartay), topped the series standings with 92 overall points, while Ballinger was second with 60 points aboard Wanderprinz. Nicole Lyvere was third overall with 36 points on her horses Fabrege and Bonaire. For her winning ride, Ballinger was presented with a bridle and picture frame by Kris Livengood of Beval Saddlery.