FTI WEF 5 Ride & Learn presented by Palm Beach Riding Academy

Champion hunter rider Sandy Ferrell will be conducting a clinic on "Developing Confidence in Your Young Hunter" on Tuesday, February 5, at 3:00 pm in the Eugene R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. The fence height will be 2'6'' and the session is priced at $100.00 per horse and rider. If you are interested please call Sean Jones at 561-784-4275 or e-mail at sean@equestriansport.com.

On February 5-6, will be the Adequan Global Dressage Festival National 2 show at The Stadium. Stop by and watch some of the most elite Dressage riders perform in front of top judges. Admission and parking are free. For more information contact Aliza Korasz at aliza@equestriansport.com.

If you are a rider, trainer or owner, be sure to stop by The Wellington Club from 11:30 am-1:00 pm on Thursday, February 7, for the Lunch & Learn focusing on joint treatments. This week's topic will be "There Is No Generic Adequan�...Understand The Facts" presented by Adequan� with Dr. Victoria Maxwell. If you would like to learn about optimizing the best treatments for your horse's joints, don't miss this Lunch & Learn. Every attendee will be given the opportunity to enter a raffle, as well as win a chance to be drawn on the final session for the grand prize! For more information please contact

561-793-5867.

There is never a dull moment at the Tiki Hut! Come have a drink or enjoy a delicious lunch during the $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 starting at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 7. Happy Hour will continue until the completion of the class.

On Friday, February 8, there will be pizza and entertainment at the Spectator Entrance starting at 5:30 pm. Bring some friends, grab a slice and maybe take a ride on the newest addition to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the hand-painted Venetian carousel! Stay to watch the Collegiate Equitation Championship.

The best collegiate riders from around the country will come to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to go head to head on Friday, February 8. The qualifying rounds will be held during the day starting at 8:00 am in Ring 8, followed by the finalists competing under the lights at 7:00 pm in the International Arena. The equitation event will be governed by the NCEA layout, which is a head to head, bracketed format made up of sixteen of the top college riders.

On Saturday, February 9, top Grand Prix riders from all over the world will compete under the lights for a chance in the winner's circle. There will be fun for the whole family; a live band, carousel rides, a magician, crafts, bouncy castles and more at the Bank of America Children's Fair. If you are 21 and over, be sure to stop by The Gallery after the class for some socializing and dancing, last week was a blast! Gates open at 6:00 pm and the competition gets underway at 7:00 pm.

On Saturday, February 9, The Shady Ladies for Lupus Research Institute will be holding their Eighth Annual Shady Ladies Event in the Special Events Pavilion at 6:00 pm. Enjoy dinner, a celebrity sunglass auction, and watch the $82,000 Adequan� Grand Prix CSI 2*. Tickets are available: $250 for adults, $175 for juniors (under 18) or $2,500 for a table of 8. Please contact Kim Tudor for more information at 908-512-2828.

Watch a live exhibit of a horse being painted in the International Arena during the midway drag of the $82,000 Adequan� Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday, February 9. The painted horse will explain equine anatomy, biomechanics and physiology in a fun way! Also, be sure to keep your eyes out for the painted horse that will be competing in the class that night. On Sunday, February 10, at 9:00 am, stop by Rings 6 and 7 to watch a live horse painting show, followed by a live demonstration and exhibition prior to the $25,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic in the International Arena, finished off by a series of 10-15 minute talks in the booth located between Rings 6 and 7.

On Sunday, February 10, the Hanley Center will return to the Special Events Pavilion at 1:00 pm. This event is fun for the whole family! Enjoy a great buffet, a silent auction, and great company. Proceeds from the luncheon will support the Hanley Center's Education and Prevention Programs, which offers training on identifying chronic, but treatable addiction. Visit

www.hanleycenter.org for more information.

With so much young talent at FTI WEF, this Grand Prix is offered for riders under the age of 25. Be sure to attend the mandatory riders meeting on Friday, February 8, in The Wellington Club at 4:00 pm if you plan on competing. Spread the word! The class will start at 8:00 am on Sunday, February 10, in the International Arena, so be sure to come out and watch riders who will possibly represent the United States and other countries in future team events.

The Dressage Summit, held at The Stadium on February 9-11, demonstrates how a rider can apply the fundamental principles of Dressage to any level of the sport. There will be many different topics covered, so if you are interested in picking up some new tips, do not miss out! Three-day tickets for the 2013 Dressage Summit are available for $195, and one-day tickets are $95. There are limited VIP tickets available for $395 that includes food, complimentary beer and wine, as well as the opportunity to interact with the presenters. For more information or to order tickets visit

www.dressagesummit.com. 

On Tuesday, February 12, Brianne Goutal will be the clinician for the Ride & Learn. "Transition from Medal/Maclay To Jumpers" sponsored by TredStep will be a session you will not want to miss out on! In 2004, Brianne Goutal made history by being the first rider to win all four major equitation finals, and is presently competing in the Grand Prix classes. Just a few weeks ago she won the $50,000 CSI 2* Grand Prix right here at FTI WEF 3. For more information please contact 561-784-4275. Participation is $100.00 per horse/rider combination, with only 12 spots available.

Hunter and Equitation Results: Thursday through Sunday

Quotable and Holly Orlando were named champions of the Sanctuary Regular Conformation Hunter division during the second day of competition for week four of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Orlando and Quotable have been a formidable pair since the beginning of the FTI WEF, collecting Green Conformation Hunter Champion titles four weeks in a row and earning championship and reserve titles in the Regular Conformation Hunter division weeks two and one, respectively.

Orlando and Quotable, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, dominated day one of competition for the division, earning blue ribbons in the model and under saddle classes as well as both over fences rounds. Day two, Orlando piloted Quotable, owned by Larry Glefke and Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Garber, to first and third ribbons over fences.

Reserve championship honors went to Aha, ridden by Sandy Ferrell and owned by Callie Seaman. Ferrell and Aha were third in the model, fourth under saddle and placed second in both over fences rounds. The duo wrapped up the division with second and first place ribbons over fences on day two.

Victoria Colvin, aboard Missy Clark's Arandelli, rode to first place in the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search class on Friday. Colvin bested a class of 30 promising junior and young riders, who competed over fences before the top twelve were called back for a test on the flat.

The top three finishers were rounded out by Michael Janson, who rode Kimberly Janson's Fortune Cookie to second place, and Gabrielle Bausano who finished third on Elizabeth Benson's San Remo VDL.

Superman and John Ingram clinched the championship title during day two of competition for the Hunt Limited Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 division at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Ingram, of Nashville, TN, and his eleven-year-old Holsteiner gelding were third and second over fences during day one of competition and secured their victory with two blue ribbon performances on day two in the under saddle class as well as the stake round of over fences competition.

Reserve champion was La Fayette, ridden and owned by Deborah Perkins and trained by Havens Schatt. Perkins and La Fayette jumped to first and seventh on day one, followed by second and fourth places over fences on day two.

The fourth week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) concluded Sunday with the Coldwell Banker Children's Hunter 14 and Under division, hosted in the Equine Tack and Nutritionals Ring 6. Champion honors were awarded to Ashley Whitner's Larkspur, ridden by Francesca Dildabanian. The pair placed first and third over fences during day one of competition and finished up day two with another blue ribbon finish over fences.  

Reserve champion was Castlekeep, ridden and owned by Lili Halterman. Halterman and her newly purchased mount were first and sixth over fences on day one, followed by first place in the second over fences round of day two.

For full results, please visit www.showgroundslive.com.

Week 4 Classic winners:

$10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumpers - Meredith Darst and Nana de Baudry
$10,000 Engel & V�lkers Adult Jumpers 18-35 - Alissa Kinsey and Grisset
$10,000 Martha Jolicoeur Adult 36-49 Jumpers -Ricardo Artadi and LV Sacramento
$10,000 Charles Owen Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Rafael Jose Contreras and Valencio
$10,000 Horseware Don Little Masters - Elizabeth Lamotte and Spit Fire
$10,000 Animo USA Medium/Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Kelly Soleau and Itty Bitty

Week 4 Champions:

EnTrust Children's Jumper 14 & Under - Delaney Hamill and Nabucc du Theil

FarmVet Adult Modified Jumpers - Amanda Gunthel and Laracon

EnTrust Children's Jumper 15-17 - Rachel Barnes and Camona O

Children's Modified Jumpers - Jacqueline Shilen and Wenda AK

Paddock Cakes Low Adult Jumper 18-35 - Rachel Bertolozzi and Houston

Paddock Cakes Low Adult Jumper 36 & Over - Amy Coleman and Dragon

Paddock Cakes Low Children's Jumper - Emma Cullen and Will Stop

Week Four Wrap-Up:

Ben Maher and Cella Capture $100,000 Fidelity Investments�  CSI 2* Grand Prix

It was a star-studded equestrian event during week four of the2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival's (FTI WEF) "Saturday Night Lights" competition as Great Britain's Ben Maher piloted Jane F. Clark's Cella to victory in the $100,000 Fidelity Investments� CSI 2* Grand Prix. Competing in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Maher and Cella finished on top of 49 entries over second place finishers Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Rebozo and third place competitors Gemma Paternoster (GBR) and Osiris.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela set the course for Saturday night's $100,000 Fidelity Investment's CSI 2* Grand Prix. Out of 49 competitors, only six made it to the jump-off round, and the top three were the only entries to clear both courses without fault.

Todd Minikus (USA) and Macoemba were the trailblazers in the jump-off, but had a rail down to incur four faults in 50.13 seconds to earn fifth place honors. McLain Ward and Grant Road Partners' Super Trooper de Ness followed and had the fastest time of the jump-off, but also had four faults in 47.59 seconds to place fourth. Rodrigo Pessoa and Double H Farm's HH Rebozo were next and jumped the first clear round in 51.12 seconds to eventually finish second.

Ben Maher and Cella followed with a second clear round and galloped through the timers in 48.95 seconds to take the lead. Gemma Paternoster and Osiris, owned by Paternoster along with Julia Harrison Lee, also cleared the short course and placed third with their time of 52.62 seconds. Last to go, Liza Finsness (USA) had one rail down with Ormsby Hill in 52.77 seconds to place sixth.

Ben Maher just started riding for Jane Clark and has quickly established a great rapport with her top horses. In the last few weeks, Maher has worked hard to get to know his new mounts while showing in Wellington.

After a few weeks of showing, Maher felt comfortable going a little bit faster in the jump-off with Cella tonight. Speaking about the round, he detailed, "It was one of those jump-offs where it could have gone either way. I had very fast riders in front of me and the turns paid off. Sometimes it goes like that here; I have seen it a lot over the years. You get running and it is easy to make a mistake. Definitely a late draw in the jump-off paid; it was worth a lot tonight. I completely changed my plan; I had a little bit of a pause before I went in the ring and I took a risk that the two riders after me were going to go around and play it a little safe. I don't think we could have been a lot better at this stage today."

Second place finisher Rodrigo Pessoa spoke about his mount HH Rebozo, who has been with the rider through the most recent World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games. Rebozo spent some time off for breeding and is just getting back into the show ring. Pessoa stated, "This is his third class here. He did two classes, a 1.40m and a 1.45m. He is just getting back into competing; he has been breeding. He feels very good and very fresh; he has a lot of energy. This was his first time in the bigger class today and I thought he jumped pretty well. In the jump-off I just wanted to put in a good round. I wasn't really worried about the place I was getting tonight. I just want to get him fit and confident for the weeks to come."

Gemma Paternoster was happy with her round with long-time partner, Osiris. She stated, "I have a bit of a different story from Ben catching his new ride; I have been with Osiris for ten years now. He was superb tonight. He moved to Florida with me two years ago and he says he loves the sunshine. He's 17, but he feels great. I wasn't really sure how much of WEF we would do with him at his age, but he felt better than ever tonight."

Concluding the evening, Maher thanked his new sponsor, Jane Clark, and admitted that it was great to get his first big win in their new partnership. "I just want to say thank you to Jane," Maher acknowledged. "We broke the ice and I feel privileged to ride those horses. There was pressure on Jane's part and my part a little bit in the beginning, but it nice to get the first grand prix win. We feel more relaxed now and we can just do the best with the team we have around us."

Jumper Results:
Wednesday through Sunday

The fourth week of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began on Wednesday, January 30, with a win for Olympic gold medalist Nick Skelton (GBR) and his mount Heracross in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class. Skelton earned his first victory of the 2013 winter circuit in Wednesday's class jumping a speed track set by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). Twenty-four entries started the class and 15 completed the course without fault. The fastest time of 58.655 seconds laid down by Skelton and Heracross earned top honors.

Darragh Kenny (IRL) finished second aboard Cavallo Farms' Twister with a time of 59.219 seconds. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Palouchin, owned by Double H Farm, placed third in 59.528 seconds. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) rode Sweet Oak Farm's Solerina to fourth place honors in 60.049 seconds.

Also showing in the International Arena on Wednesday, Italy's Lorenzo de Luca and Jamaika Z, owned by Neil Jones Equestrian, won the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class out of 83 competitors. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class went to Laura Chapot and Zealous in a class of 57 entries.

Week four continued on Thursday with a win for Charlie Jacobs and CMJ Sporthorse, LLC's Flaming Star in the $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4. In a 23-horse jump-off, Jacobs and Flaming Star topped an all-star field with second place honors going to Conor Swail (IRL) riding Lansdowne and third place awarded to Brianne Goutal (USA) aboard Nice de Prissey.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela set the course for an impressive field of 81 starters in Thursday afternoon's $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4. A total of 24 entries jumped clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off, and 23 of those returned to jump the short course. Out of 23, ten jumped double clear, and the times got faster and faster as the race for the top prize progressed. The final three competitors earned the top three spots.

Twentieth to go, Brianne Goutal and Remarkable Farm LP's Nice de Prissey cleared the short course in 33.67 seconds to place third. Class winners Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star were second to last in the jump-off and blazed through the course in 32.40 seconds to earn the victory. Last to go, Conor Swail and Lansdowne, owned by Ariel and Susan Grange, placed second with their time of 33.21 seconds.

Other top finishers included Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Adrienne Sternlicht's Oreade des Dames, who finished fourth in 33.78 seconds. Luis Larrazabal (VEN) and Gustavo Mirabal's G&C Flash were fifth in 34.42 seconds, and Ian Millar (CAN) and Dixson, owned by Ariel and Susan Grange, placed sixth with a time of 34.68 seconds. McLain Ward and Grant Road Partners' Super Trooper de Ness actually had the fastest time of the day in 31.89 seconds, but a rail at the last fence left them in eleventh place.

Also showing in the International Arena on Thursday, Ronan McGuigan guided Capall Zidane to victory in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. Catherine Tyree and Wetter won in the RCG Farm High Amateur-Owner Jumpers.  

In the first class of the morning on Friday, 16-year-old Wellington resident Spencer Smith jumped to victory in the $1,500 Griffis Residential High Junior Jumper Power and Speed class aboard Skara Glen's Voltan H. Thirteen entries showed with ten advancing to the speed phase and five pairs completing both rounds without fault. Last to go in the class, Spencer Smith's time of 28.305 seconds aboard Skara Glen's Voltan H would be the best.

Emanuel Andrade and Hollow Creek Farm's Crossfire 10 finished second with their time of 28.632 in the speed round. Dana Scott and Nod Hill Farm's KM Whatever RV placed third in 29.062 seconds, and Chloe Reid and King of Hearts were fourth in 29.930 seconds.  

Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, Annie Cook and Signe Ostby's Banba won in the $2,500 RCG Farm High Amateur-Owner Jumper Power and Speed. In the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge, Alexander Zetterman and Canora jumped to victory. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class completed the day with a win for Darragh Kerins and S&L Elite.

Week four of the2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday afternoon with a win for 21-year-old Alise Oken and Hi Hopes Farm, LLC's Teirra in the $25,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic.  

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela set the courses for week four jumper competition in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). In Sunday's concluding class, 46 entries competed and six advanced to the jump-off. The top three riders jumped double clear rounds, and the fastest time belonged to Alise Oken and Teirra in 31.928 seconds, first to go in the jump-off.

Coming in second, Amanda Derbyshire and David Gochman's Attack II stopped the clock in 33.613 seconds. HH Prince Faisal Al Shalan and Saudi Equestrian's Talan placed third with their time of 34.128 seconds. Ben Maher and Mrs. Philips' Quiet Easy 4 had the fastest time of the jump-off in 31.200 seconds, but had one rail down. Lorenzo de Luca and Michael Collins' Chevalier also had one rail and placed fifth with their time of 34.588 seconds. Jessica Springsteen wrapped up the jump-off with eight faults aboard Stone Hill Farm's Vindicat W to place sixth.

Also showing in the International Arena on Sunday, Victoria Colvin and Waikiki, owned by Rivers Edge, won the $10,000 Maria Mendelsohn Low Junior Jumper Classic for the second week in a row. Eugenio Garza and El Milagro's Barian won the $10,000 Griffis Residential High Junior Jumper Classic and Garza was presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award.