* NO SHIP-INS are allowed on Equestrian Club Drive! Unloading your horse at the spectator entrance is dangerous for horse and rider. 

* Hunter classes will not be held at The Stadium during FTI WEF 9. Classes that WILL be held at The Stadium include:

The Sam Edelman Equitation Championship - Saturday, March 9 (FTI WEF 9)

$15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix - Sunday, March 24 (FTI WEF 11)

$101,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix, CSI 4* - Sunday, March 24 (FTI WEF 11)

$50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Round 2 - Sunday, March 31 (FTI WEF 12)

* FTI WEF 9 is the last week for the TAKE2 Thoroughbred Incentive classes! The TAKE2 Hunter Division at the FTI WEF will include two classes over fences and an under saddle classes. Fences will be set at 3'0." Prize money will be handed out in full class of three or more competitors.

* TAKE2 Classes will be open to all Thoroughbreds eligible for registration with The Jockey Club, verified by Jockey Club registration papers or lip tattoo numbers. Race and unraced Thoroughbreds are considered eligible.

Ride & Learn with Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Kraut, presented by Palm Beach Riding Academy and sponsored by Ramard

Learn from one of the best show jumpers in the world on Tuesday, March 5, at 3:30 pm in the International Arena. Fence Height minimum is three-feet. For more information, please contact 561-784-4275.

Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show

ESP in cooperation with The North American Studbook and Spy Coast Farm LLC will host the Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show (YHS) on Tuesday, March 5, at The Stadium. The day will feature Four and Five-Year-Olds competing in classes Under Saddle, Jumping and Dressage, as well as classes for all age divisions in the In-Hand/At Liberty and Jump Chute. The Young Horse Shows give breeders, owners, and trainers a chance to showcase yearling to five-year-old young sport horses in an age appropriate setting, helping to promote breeding in America and in turn create a marketplace for trainers and riders to purchase young horses. For more information on the Spy Coast Farm Young Horse Show Series, please visit www.younghorseshow.com.

FTI WEF 9 Lunch & Learn presented by Copy and Print Depot� at Office Depot�

This week's Lunch & Learn will return to its usual location at The Wellington Club on Thursday, March 7. Daisy Medici will be speaking about "Repairing Broken Relationships and Recovering Trust" sponsored by GenSpring Family Offices from 11:30pm-1:00pm. All riders, trainers and owners are welcome. For more information please contact Meg Krueger at 561-784-1111.

$125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series Round 9 and Tiki Hut Happy Hour

Come out and watch riders compete in the ninth round of the WEF Challenge series, this time with an even bigger purse on the line. The class will be held in the International Arena at 12:00pm on Thursday, March 7. As you watch the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge class, enjoy a drink and some lunch at the Tiki Hut. Why not watch the class from one of the best seats on the grounds?

$20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Team Event

Watch some of the top young riders under 25 as they compete in a team event, part of the 2013 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series presented by Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte on Thursday, March 7. The first round will begin at 3:00pm in the International Arena and round two will be held under the lights. Come out and support your some of the best up-and-coming riders in this team competition!

The Horse Boy Foundation Visits The International Club

On Thursday, March 7, from 11 am-2 pm, Autism Speaks and Equestrian Sport Productions present The Horse Boy Foundation Meet & Greet and Book Signing. Drop by the Horse Boy Foundation table in the International Club Lounge, learn about the Horse Boy Foundation and Autism Speaks, chat with Rupert, pick up a copy of The Horse Boy book and film, and see what you can do to help these cutting-edge organizations bring hope through horses to thousands of families worldwide. For more information please visit www.horseboyfoundation.org.

Also, Friday March 8th, Betsy, the quarter horse mare that Isaacson pioneered the Horse Boy Method with, is being inducted into the new USEF/Equus Foundation Horse Hall of Fame at the F�te Cheval �toile at PBIEC where Betsy will be displayed between Steffen Peters' Ravel and Debbie MacDonald's Brentina.

F�te Cheval �toile To Benefit the Equus Foundation

Join The Crown Family and Spy Coast Farm for a "star-studded evening" in the Special Events Pavilion at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Friday, March 8. The Equus Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of horses and the horse-human bond. You can support the Equus Foundation and purchase an armband at The WEF Boutique located on the show grounds for $20 (tax-deductible donation) or online at www.equusfoundation.org/armband. The arm bands are approved to wear in every class held at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. For more information about the event, please contact the Equus Foundation at 203-259-1550 or visit www.equusfoundation.org.

Sam Edelman Equitation Championship

Watch some of the best young equitation riders in the country compete in a new class on the grass derby field at The Stadium on Saturday, March 9, at 2 pm. This class will give young riders an opportunity to compete on the grass over natural obstacles in a new environment for challenging competition. Join Sam afterward as he presents his Spring 2013 collection from 5-7 pm at Nordstrom at The Mall at Wellington Green, Women's Shoes, First Floor.

$300,000 FEI World Cup™ Qualifier Grand Prix CSI 5*- presented by The Bainbridge Companies

Another exciting Saturday Night Lights class! Top international riders will compete under the lights on Saturday, March 9, at 7:00 pm in this class that will award points to help determine the riders that will compete in the FEI World Cup Finals in April. As the second highest prize money purse of the season, expect the competition to be fierce. The Bank of America Family Festival will be open; the live band will be playing and there will be fun for the entire family.

$82,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Come out and enjoy some show jumping on Sunday afternoon, March 10, at 2:00 pm in the International Arena. This class is a qualifier for the Suncast� Championship Rider Bonus, which is awarded to the horse/rider combination who gains the most points from the Suncast� Championship Jumper Series.

SAVE THE DATE! Ride & Learn with Debbie MacDonald

The Ride & Learn Clinic presented by Palm Beach Riding Academy on Tuesday, March 12, is with World Cup champion Debbie MacDonald on "Connection and Overall Rideability" to improve problems in balance, rhythm and suppleness. Participation is just $100, so call 561-784-4275 for more information.

Team USA Wins $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Presented by G&C Farm

The powerhouse U.S. show jumping team of Kent Farrington, Reed Kessler, Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden earned victory in Friday night's $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by G&C Farm, at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Teams representing seven different countries participated in the evening's competition with a win for Team USA over Canada in second and Germany in third.

Friday's nights Nations Cup competition consisted of two rounds shown over a challenging course set by Anthony D'Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. Teams of four represented the countries of Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Germany, USA, Colombia and Venezuela.

After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all seven teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team's top three riders from each round.

The winning team from the United States was represented by Kent Farrington and RCG Farm's Uceko, Reed Kessler and her Cylana, Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.'s Cedric, and Beezie Madden riding Abigail Wexner's Simon under the guidance of new Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland.

In round one, Farrington had four faults aboard Uceko and Kessler, Kraut and Madden all jumped clear rounds to lead the way into the second phase of competition. In round two, Farrington and Kessler each jumped clear rounds, Kraut and Cedric had four faults, and when it was determined that the USA could not be beat, the team decided that Madden and Simon did not have to jump. They finished on a two round total of four faults for the victory.

Beezie Madden had a little trouble at the water in round one but still jumped clear for her team. She noted, "I probably had the most interesting round. Other than the water jump, he felt great. He was fantastic. I looked at the scoreboard afterwards; I thought he was clear of it. I knew he hit the box, but that was probably putting it mildly. I was just happy he recovered from that and he finished off with a clear."

Eighteen-year-old Reed Kessler had her first win as well as her first double clear in a Nations Cup class and was very excited.

"To ride on the home team in front of the home crowd is a really big honor so I'm thrilled that it went the way it did," Kessler smiled. "Cylana was awesome. She has shown pretty lightly all of circuit to prepare for this. It's my favorite thing when I ride her to hear the crowd scream and she gets so animated and so wild. When she heads to the first jump, she has total focus. She could not have done better."

Kent Farrington had a rail in round one but came back strong for the second round. He commented, "I've known that horse a little while and our first ride wasn't our best. Towards the end of the round he just got too strong and he took over at the last oxer. I was actually pleased with how he came back in the second round. He performed more like himself and was more relaxed."

Laura Kraut had a great night with Cedric and enjoyed winning on home turf.

"I was thrilled with Cedric tonight," Kraut smiled. "Both rounds he was fantastic. The second round I was maybe a little overly cautious down the last line and he had such a light rub. I think he thinks he was double clear. I think he's pleased right now. As Reed said, it was very comforting to ride tonight. Normally, I would be very tense about riding in front of the home crowd, but when you have three horse/rider combinations going with you, I felt pretty comfortable that if I did something really stupid they'd be there to back me up. I'm thrilled that we won and I'm really happy for Robert because he was really nervous. He just sort of listened to what we thought we wanted to do and supported us. We're all getting to know each other and our new system. But I think it worked quite well."

Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland was very happy with him team and admits to being a little nervous.

"I was told I was pacing a lot," Ridland laughed. "What do you do? For me, this has been a long journey and great to get here. It was about a year ago that I was named coach and we went through the Olympic trials and all that. At the same time, Furusiyya and the FEI changed the Nations Cup and there are a lot of us that feel this is one of the best things that will have happened to the sport in a long time. It will revive the Nations Cup. We knew this was going to be a really big deal coming in being a qualifier for the Final and we made it a huge priority before the beginning of the year, not only to try to win this, but to be in a good position for the Final."

Friday night's Canadian team consisted of Eric Lamaze and Morningside Stud & Torrey Pines Stables' Wang Chung M2S, Tiffany Foster and Artisan Farm LLC's Victor, Mac Cone and Chadburn Holdings, Inc.'s Amor van de Rostal as well as Ian Millar and Ariel and Susan Grange's Dixson with Chef d'Equipe Mark Laskin.

In round one, Lamaze had five faults for a rail and one time fault, Foster and Millar jumped clear, and Mac Cone was eliminated for the drop score. All four riders continued on into round two where Lamaze, Foster and Millar all jumped clear. Mac Cone's score was once again dropped to leave the team on five faults total for their second place finish.

Third place finisher, Team Germany, included Janne Friederike Meyer aboard Meyer, Friedrich and Anne Sophie's Cellagon Lambrasco, Johannes Ehning and Nybor Pferde GMBH & Co. KG's Salvador V, Andre Thieme and his Contanga 3, and Daniel Deusser aboard Stephex Stables & Pedro Veniss's Cornet d'Amour headed by Chef d'Equipe Dietmar Gugler.

In round one, Germany dropped Ehning's score of eight and kept Meyer's four fault score and Theime's one time fault with a clear round from Daniel Deusser. In round two, Deusser once again jumped clear, Meyer was clear, and Ehning and Theime each had four faults, one of which was dropped. The team finished on five faults from round one and four faults from round two for a nine point total.

The fourth place team from Ireland finished with eleven faults. Other teams included Colombia, who finished on a score of 41 to place fifth, Venezuela, who had a two round total of 48 to finish sixth, and Mexico, who finished on a score of 59 to place seventh.

All in all, there were five double clear rounds for the night, including Reed Kessler, Tiffany Foster, Ian Millar, Daniel Deusser and Cian O'Connor.

The 2013 season has seen the introduction of a new formula for the FEI Nations Cup™. Following a new sponsorship deal with the Saudi Equestrian Fund, this historic series will now be known as the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™. Under the new rules, the world has been divided into six regions for the purpose of qualifying teams for a World Final. The six regions are Europe 1 and 2, North America, South America, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

On behalf of Furusiyya, HH Prince Faisal Al Shalan was present for the class and commented on the evening. "First of all we are very happy for the American team for their win today," he stated. "They were amazing and they had really good horses coming in. The other teams also performed really well and it was very close."

"To start off, Furusiyya is a single Arabic word and it is based on embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry and equestrian knowledge in general," he added. "The term is a derivation of 'faris,' the horseman and the horse, so it's a combination of both. In time, Furusiyya will become the brand name under which Saudi Arabian equestrian products will be licensed and marketed. To date, there is a perfume called Furusiyya which is a product for sale in Saudi Arabia. It is our duty in Saudi equestrian to sponsor Saudi equestrian activities for the nobility. Not only in the narrow sense of their history and heritage, but rather in the cultural and behavioral aspects that surround the sport in celebration of the horse. It has instilled chivalry, honor, value and virtue. This is the essence of our mission in the Saudi Equestrian Fund-the connection between horse and rider is universal and we are fortunate that the horse is so noble that they allow us to share their strength and passion."

Class and weekly sponsor Gustavo Mirabal of G&C Farm also spoke about the evening. "I am very proud to again be the Nations Cup sponsor as well as many FEI classes," Mirabal stated. "I think we have to do this in America-more FEI classes and more FEI points so we can have more riders in the top of the world. I recognize all of the American riders as amazing riders and people, and I am proud to be the sponsor."

Also commenting on the class, John Madden, representing the FEI, noted, "I think we witnessed a little bit of history tonight. This is the first Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup here in North America. Last week we witnessed it in Abu Dhabi and we think it's a really bright future for our sport."

"I would like to, on behalf of the FEI, thank the USEF as our host federation and ESP, Michael (Stone) and everybody for a great job this evening," Madden acknowledged. "I think we really have to thank Gustavo and G&C. They really bring the hemisphere together. They bring the Americas together like a family and we really have to thank His Highness Prince Faisal and Furusiyya. Thank you, on behalf of the FEI for bringing the world together."

Equestrian Sport Productions' CEO Mark Bellissimo added, "I'd also like to thank the sponsors and His Highness. This is an amazing start of a tradition in the United States and it is great that the U.S. team was able to prevail here. Canada and Germany also did very well and I think we're just pleased to have top sport in Wellington."

"I'd like to thank my friend Gustavo Mirabal, who stepped up very early in our ownership of this and has just been an amazing sponsor and supporter through all dimensions of the sport," Bellissimo said. "It takes great sponsors to elevate the sport in the United States and we hope this is a relationship for many years to come. Again, we thank the FEI and USEF for creating the platform for this great demonstration."

Kent Farrington and Blue Angel Triumph in $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix Presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty  

Week eight of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by G&C Farm, concluded on Sunday afternoon with an exciting victory for Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parsky's Blue Angel in the $150,000 CSIO 4* Grand Prix, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). In an 11-horse jump-off, Farrington and Blue Angel were 1/100th of a second faster than Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner's Cortes 'C' who finished second. Conor Swail (IRL) and Lansdowne, owned by Ariel and Susan Grange, placed third.

Anthony D'Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY, was the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for the week. In Sunday's feature class, 53 entries showed and eleven went clear to advance to the jump-off. In the second round, six cleared the short course without fault, and it was a race to the finish as the times got faster and faster.

Charlie Jayne (USA) and Chill RZ, owned by Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher, showed the way to a clear round in the jump-off and eventually placed sixth with their time of 41.02 seconds. McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners' Antares F went next and improved on that time in 38.83 seconds to place fourth. Germany's Janne Friederike Meyer and Cellagon Lambrasco, owned by Meyer, Friedrich and Anne Sophie, were just 2/100ths of a second slower in 38.85 seconds to take the fifth place prize.

Conor Swail and Lansdowne went next and put on quite a show as they stopped the clock in 38.57 seconds to eventually place third. Beezie Madden and Cortes 'C' upped the ante once more as they completed their round in 38.25 seconds. Just when it seemed like Madden might not be beat, Kent Farrington and Blue Angel raced through the timers in 38.24 seconds, just 1/100th of a second faster, to grab the top spot.

Farrington's winning mount, Blue Angel, is an eleven-year-old Anglo European mare by Luidam x Ascendant. Farrington just started riding her in Wellington this winter and as he put it, the pair "sort of jumped into the deep end of the pool," going for the big classes right away.

"We did the 1.30m, 1.40m, and then we were off and running," Farrington stated. "Winning with her gives me confidence in what I've been doing. I want to continue to try to grow with the horse and really get her into my system and get to know her better."

"She is a special horse that's actually the type of horse I grew up riding, more Thoroughbred-type," Farrington described. "We had a lot of horses off the racetrack and I used to race ponies as a kid, so I'm used to riding really hot, small horses like that. That's sort of right up my alley."

In their short time together, Farrington and Blue Angel have had several top finishes, including a second place in this week's $43,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8.

"I haven't ridden it that long, but it's naturally a fast horse," Farrington point out. "I have actually practiced a few jump-offs in here. We have come close to winning a few classes - the WEF on Thursday was a speed round and she was second. McLain (Ward) won with a spectacular round that was unbeatable. Today was our day and we got a little redemption."

Commenting on Sunday's course, Farrington remarked, "I didn't think there would be as many clear as there were, but I think that shows the strength of the field today."

Farrington and second place finisher Beezie Madden are fresh off a win for Team USA in Friday night's $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by G&C Farm. Madden and her mount Cortes 'C' have had a great season, also including a win in the $125,000 FEI World Cup™ Qualifier Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W presented by Spy Coast Farm during week six.

Madden agreed with Farrington's comment on Sunday's class. "I thought it was a good course," she stated. "In a class like this I would prefer a few less clean, but I thought it tested carefulness and scope and a little bravery at the end with the[brush] box going into the triple [combination]. I think he had a really good feel for the horses. A lot of the riders had their top horses in today, so it makes for some very good jumping."

Madden commented on her round in the jump-off, explaining, "I saw Conor go before me, so I knew it was very, very fast. I was just trying to use my horse's big stride. I could set off right through the timers fast; I could trust him to jump the first fence clean and just gallop to that, and hope to be really fast to the second fence. I think I eased up a bit to the fifth fence, the oxer. I think I pretty much matched Kent everywhere else. It's hard to say where you lost a hundredth of a second."

Third place finisher, Conor Swail, had a great round with Lansdowne but knew he had some fast riders still to come.

"I certainly didn't think I had it, but I was very happy to go into the lead," he noted. "Lansdowne is a fantastic horse. He's now 10 years old and he has jumped a few of these bigger classes. He knows what to do with himself now. I was delighted. I think the top four riders, those rounds would win most grand prixs. It was crazy."

With a world-class line-up, Sunday's class certainly proved the talent of the horses and riders in the jump-off. Swail was happy to be a part of the action.

"It's nice to ride with these guys and be competitive with them," he acknowledged. "You learn a lot by being in this company. By riding with the best, it's how we get better. We all enjoy the competition. Any one of us could win each particular day. We never think we cannot win. We want to be on the top."

Jumper Results: Wednesday through Sunday

Week eight of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by G&C Farm, kicked off on Wednesday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with a win for German rider Daniel Deusser and Stephex Stables' Domingo in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class.

Anthony D'Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY, was the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for the week. On Wednesday, D'Ambrosio set the speed track for 39 competitors in the G&C Farm sponsored 1.45m class. Fourteen entries cleared the course without fault and the times were blazing as a roster of top international competitors fought for top honors.

German rider Daniel Deusser got a win right off the bat in his first class of the week upon arriving in Wellington. Deusser and Stephex Stables' Domingo had the fastest clear round in 66.038 seconds early on in the class to hold on for the win. Irish competitor Andrew Bourns finished second aboard Double H Farm's Ace High Mike in 67.617 seconds. Colombia's Manuel Espinosa finished third in 68.507 second riding Luis Garcia's Zippo CG. Andrew Bourns also took fourth place honors riding Tequestrian Farms' Carmina through the finish in 69.491 seconds.

Also showing on Wednesday, some of the best children's, junior and young riders from around the world began their week with Welcome Stake classes in preparation for Saturday's Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cup competition. Brothers Wilton and Lucas Porter represented the United States well with wins in each of their divisions.

In the Hollow Creek Farm Young Rider Welcome Stake, Wilton Porter (USA) and Sleepy P Ranch, LLC's Radio City topped the class with Gabriela Mershad (USA) and Mershad Stables, LLC's Caprilli HSF finishing second and Manuel Fernandez (DOM) and Aristides Fernandez Zucco's Maribel H placing third.

The Hollow Creek Farm Junior Welcome Stake followed with a win for younger brother Lucas Porter (USA) riding Sleepy P Ranch, LLC's Mill's Georgia. Felipe Feuntes (ARG) and Raso de los Morales' Zalina VD Laarseheide Z placed second. Katherine Strauss (USA) and Chellando Z finished third.

The day concluded with the Hollow Creek Farm Children's Welcome Stake and a sweep for the Venezuelan riders in all top four positions. Constanza Romer and Frederick Romer's SF Hechicero won the class. Clarissa Chumaceiro and Patricia Cifuentes' Medium Platiere finished second. Carlos Bechara and Adriana Romer's Armelle's Boy placed third, and Mariana Sade and Stransky's Mission Farms, Inc.'s Ikarus were fourth.

Week eight continued on Thursday with the $43,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 8. The win went to U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward aboard Grant Road Partners' Super Trooper de Ness.

On Thursday, 64 entries showed over Anthony D'Ambrosio's speed track for the eighth installment of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series with 17 clear rounds over the course. McLain Ward and Super Trooper de Ness, an eleven-year-old Belgian Sport Horse stallion by Vigo d'Arsouilles x Polydor, had the fastest time of 59.12 seconds.

Second place went to Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parsky's Blue Angel with a time of 61.46 seconds. Lauren Hough (USA) and Laura Mateo's Quick Study were third in 61.83 seconds, and Beezie Madden (USA) placed fourth with a time of 62.53 seconds aboard Abigail Wexner's Cortes 'C'.

Also showing on Thursday, Marilyn Little (USA) began the day with a win in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m jump-off class riding Raylyn Farms' Venus. The $5,000 Hollow Creek Farm Young Rider Classic was held next with a win for Catherine Pasmore (USA) and Pasmore Stables' Z Canta. The $2,500 Hollow Creek Farm Junior Classic saw victory for Gustavo Machado (VEN) and Copernicus Stables' Credit Cruise. In the $2,500 Hollow Creek Farm Children's Classic, the win went to Vittorio Burger (BRA) and Yves Sportiello's Cheese Z.

G&C Farm's $10,000 Speed Stake was held on Friday with a win for Ireland's Darragh Kenny and Delilah, owned by Derbypie, LLC. In a field of 35 international starters, Kenny and Delilah completed the fastest of 9 clear rounds in 59.07 seconds. Germany's Johannes Ehning and Cayenne 162, owned by Winley Farm LLC, finished second in 59.63 seconds. USA's Reed Kessler and Ligist were third with a time of 61.54 seconds.

Also showing in the International Arena on Friday, McLain Ward and Tequestrian Farm's Coco 135 earned a victory in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge. Johannes Ehning and Appearance 2, owned by Nybor Pferde GMBH & Co. KG, triumphed in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class.
 

Also showing on Saturday, McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners' Super Trooper de Ness were on a roll with their second big win of the week. In a class of 37 entries in the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic, ten jumped clear rounds over Anthony D'Ambrosio's speed track and Ward and Super Trooper were fastest yet again with their time of 61.81 seconds.

Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Stone Hill Farm's Vornado Van Den Hoendrik held the lead for most of the class with their time of 61.98 seconds to eventually finish second. Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables' Mouse placed third in 62.03 seconds. Alvaro de Miranda (BRA) and RD Jumping Higher Ltda.'s Show Show were fourth in 62.98 seconds, and Reed Kessler (USA) stopped the clock in 65.02 second aboard Ligist to place fifth.

In the $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic later in the morning, Ward's student Katie Dinan and Grant Road Partners Glory Days jumped to victory in the $25,000 Ariat Jumper Classic. Sixty-one entries showed in the class and 13 advanced to the jump-off. Dinan and Glory Days won it in 36.66 seconds over Rodrigo Pessoa and Double H Farm's HH Let's Fly with their time of 37.15 seconds. Kirsten Coe and Ilan Ferder's Calypso placed third in 38.78 seconds.

On Sunday, Mario Deslauriers (USA) and Ardeche van de Zelm, owned by Mario's wife Lisa Deslauriers, topped the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. In a class of 41 entries, seven cleared the first round course to advance to the jump-off, and Deslauriers and 'Ardeche' completed the only double clear round in a time of 34.87 seconds to earn the victory.

Laura Kraut (USA) and A. Lebon's Jubilee d'Ouilly finished second with four faults in 33.43 seconds. Alonso Valdez Prado (PER) and Quick du Pottier were third with four faults in 34.90 seconds. Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables' Evita van de Veldbalie had four faults in 34.93 seconds. Kraut also took fifth place honors with the Evita Group's Nouvelle with four faults in 35.51 seconds.

Hollow Creek Farm FEI Nations Cups  

Saturday's Nations Cup competition consisted of two rounds for each division shown over courses set by Anthony D'Ambrosio of Red Hook, NY. After the first round, each team dropped their highest score. In the second round, all eligible teams returned in order of highest to lowest total faults. The winner was determined by the lowest total of each team's top three riders from each round.

The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Young Rider Nations Cup was a very close class with teams USA and Canada coming into round two tied at the top and the American riders taking the win. Colombia and Brazil also showed in the final round and finished third and fourth respectively.

The U.S. team, represented by Catherine Pasmore and Pasmore Stables' Z Canta, Mattias Tromp and Beyaert Farm, Inc.'s Casey, Abigail McArdle and David McArdle's Cosma 20, and Liza Finsness and Ormsby Hilll, was coached by Chef d'Equipe Michelle Grubb.

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 put in the only double clear rounds for Team USA. Catherine Pasmore was the drop score of eight in round one, but came back strong to jump clear in the second round. Mattias Tromp had one time fault in the first round and five faults in round two. Liza Finsness had four faults in round one and then did not have to return in round two after it was determined that their team could not be beat. Team USA finished on ten faults total.

The Canadian team finished in second on a 15 point total. Their riders included Bretton Chad aboard Santa Catarina LS, owned by Stone Ridge Farms LLC, Nicole Walker riding High Yummy, Amelia Vernon on Jaime Auletto's Udolente, and Kara Chad riding Alberto II, owned by Stone Ridge Farms, LLC.

In round one, Bretton Chad and Walker jumped clear and Vernon and Amelia Chad each had five faults with one of those scores dropped. In round two, Vernon's score of nine was dropped, Bretton Chad had five, Walker had four, and Kara Chad incurred one time fault.

The Hollow Creek Farm FEI Junior Nations Cup had six teams make it to the second round of competition with a win for Brazil. The teams of Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, USA, and Argentina all showed under the lights on Saturday night.

It was another very close class as Teams USA and Mexico each went into round two with four faults, Brazil with six and Venezuela with eight. Brazil scored the victory as three of their riders cleared the second round course and they were able to drop one four fault score to stay on six faults.

Mexico had two riders with four faults in the second round along with two clear rounds, so they added four to their first round faults to finish in second place on eight. Venezuela had two clear rounds, one time fault and one four fault score in round two. They dropped the four to add one point and finish on nine for third place honors.

The winning junior Brazilian team consisted of Carolina Drummond riding LaLa de la Hurie, owned by Madame Catherine Potin, Sofia Scheer riding Levin Z, Stoeterij Zangersheide, Giulia Scampini riding Constantino Scampini's Keep On Fighting, and Fernando Penteado riding Petit Paul de Beaufou, owned by M. Eric Levallois Et S.A.R.L Pilou. They were coached by Chef d'Equipe Caio Sergio de Carvalho.

Giulia Scampini was the only rider from Brazil's junior team to jump two clear rounds in the class. Drummond had four and four, Scheer had two time faults and then a clear round, and Penteado had eight and zero.

Carvalho also coached Brazil's children's team to a victory in the Hollow Creek Farm FEI Children's Nations Cup where four teams were eligible to return for the second round. The teams from the United States, Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina were represented. In the end, it was extremely close between Brazil and Argentina, and Brazil took top prize.

The team from Brazil had only three riders compete in the two rounds of competition after one of their riders had to withdraw from the competition, so all of their scores counted. Their competitors included Siew Chiang Cheng riding Up to You, owned by Yuri M. Guerios, Laura Ramos Rait riding LF Ponderosa, owned by Lincon Goncalves Fernandes, and Vittorio Burger riding Yves Sportiello's Cheese Z.

In their first round, Chiang and Burger each had one time fault and Rait jumped a clear round. The team went into the second round on two faults and all cleared the course, keeping their score at two for the win.

The children's team from Argentina was represented by Candela Oyarzabal riding La Pasion Arkansas Z, owned by Omar Gonzalez, Melina Vernengo riding Luis Vernengo's Nero, Manuel Chechic riding Hector Chechic's Margarita J I A, and Iara Veron riding Norit Larino, owned by Marcelo Luis Brandolino.

In round one, Oyarzabal, Vernengo and Chechic all cleared the course and Veron was the drop score of six. They went into round two on zero. The second round saw four faults for Oyarzabal, two clear rounds from Vernengo and Chechic, and a drop score of five from Veron. With just the four faults from round two for their score, the team finished in second.

The team from Venezuela had nine faults total to place third. Team USA finished on 13 faults to place fourth.

Leading rider awards were also presented for each division for the overall performance of the riders throughout the week's competition, including their Welcome Stakes, Classics and first round Nations Cup performance. In the children's division, the top rider was Venezuela's Constanza Romer. In the juniors, USA's Katherine Strauss was the champion. Manuel Fernandez Hache of Dominican Republic topped the young rider division.

Hunter and Equitation Results:
Thursday through Sunday 

Louise Serio and Carento made their debut in the Equine Tack and Nutritionals First Year Green Working Hunters to much success during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by G&C Farm. Serio piloted the seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Sherri Crawford, to a division championship after placing sixth under saddle and jumping to third and first places over fences on day one of competition. On day two, Carento and Serio solidified their victory with third and fourth place finishes over fences.

Reserve championship honors went to Artisan Farms' Antwerp and Cookie Beck. Beck and Antwerp, a seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding, were fourth under saddle day one and jumped to a blue ribbon finish over fences on day two.  

Amy Smith and her newly acquired mount, LDM Dramatik, topped the Low Adult 2'6" Hunter Section A division during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Smith and her fourteen-year-old Westphalian mare were fifth and fourth over fences on day one of competition for the division. The pair was second, fourth and first over fences on day two.

Reserve championship honors went to Elizabeth Reed and her own Serenade. Reed and Serenade were third over fences day one and earned a blue ribbon over fences on day two.

Nolan Wein and her own Aaron bested a class of twenty-four aspiring equitation champions in the Taylor Harris Insurance Service (THIS) National Children's Medal 15-17 class during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Wein, of Gladwyne, PA, and her eight-year-old Warmblood gelding topped the class with a score of 89. The top four was rounded out by Kelsey Brown and Califernia with a score of 88, Isabella McCary and Balou Grand with a score of 87, and Adam Rittenberg aboard Alchemy with a score of 86.

The ASPCA Maclay class was split into two sections after entries swelled to over sixty riders during week eight of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Victoria Colvin finished first in Section A, presented by Sidelines Magazine, aboard Asparagus, a 19-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Missy Clark. Caitlin Boyle, and her horse Loredo were second followed by Jack Morgan's third place finish aboard Allison Haupt's Vangoch.

Charlotte Jacobs rode Catherine Tyree's Patrick to first place in Section B, presented by Alessandro Albanese. Gabrielle Bausano was second to Jacobs with her own Calito 7. The top three was rounded out by Lucille Green and her horse Accord.

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

Week 8 Classic winners: 
$15,000 RCG Farm SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Alise Oken and Kaid du Ry

$10,000 Griffis Residential High Junior Jumpers- Lillie Keenan and Pumped Up Kicks
$10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Kenzie Donovan and Boomerang
$10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumpers - Megan McDermott and Bull Run's Becky Blue

$10,000 Charles Owen Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Eirin Bruheim and NLF Transatlantic  

$10,000 Maria Mendelsohn Low Junior Jumpers - Emanuel Andrade and Casanova Junior

$10,000 Engel & V�lkers Adult Jumpers 18-35 - Alexandra Cherubini and Equifit Carlos 
$10,000 Martha Jolicoeur Adult 36-49 Jumpers - Claudia Sovero and ADC Quantas LV Z
$10,000 Horseware Don Little Masters - Linda McBurney and Less Is More

Week 8 Champions:

EnTrust Children's Jumper 14 & Under - Hannah Janson and Quica

FarmVet Adult Modified Jumpers - Lynsey Whitacre and Barillo W

EnTrust Children's Jumper 15-17 - Kellie Michel and Ayton

Children's Modified Jumpers - Thiele Schroeder and Mister Cash Van Der Veldmden

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

Paddock Cakes Low Adult Jumper 36 & Over - Niki McCardle and Hoolie Hoo

Paddock Cakes Low Children's Jumper - Alexandra Pielet and Sailor Moon