to sign up today! 

  

Head over to The Stadium at PBIEC to take in the incredible display of talent showcased in the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday afternoon at the AGDF. Watch the world's best riders and horses perform to music starting at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24. Food, beverages, and shopping will be available! 

annette@equestriansport.com or call 561-793-JUMP for more information.

pmiele@whitehorsetavernflorida.com or call Patti at 561-784-1125.

FTI WEF 

Horse Show Wrap-Up

Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane Race to Victory in $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2*

 

Ireland's Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane were double clear and blazing fast for the win in Saturday night's $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix CSI 2*, the highlight event of week two at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Riders representing nine different countries showed under the lights in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with top finishes for McGuigan, along with Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl and Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) aboard Carlos V.H.P. Z.

 

FTI WEF week two, sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty, concludes on Sunday with the $10,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Speed Class, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, as well as the $34,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.

 

Luc Musette of Belgium set the course for Saturday night's competition with 44 entries, nine clear rounds to advance to the jump-off, and seven clear rounds over the short course. The fantastic crowd that braved the unusually cold Florida weather was treated to a thrilling show in the jump-off as the horses and riders raced against the clock.

 

Fifth to go in the second round, Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane completed the fastest track in 39.92 seconds, edging out Todd Minikus and Quality Girl's time of 40.15 seconds. A few rounds later, Nicholas Dello Joio and Carlos V.H.P. Z completed the third fastest time in 40.33 seconds. It was a very close race, as Sweden's Alexander Zetterman and Cafino finished fourth in 40.50 seconds, and Kaitlin Campbell (USA) and Rocky W stopped the clock in 40.52 seconds to place fifth.

 

Ronan McGuigan already has an early lead in the $100,000 FTI Consulting Rider Challenge standings after a very successful start to the circuit, and he added a few more points to that lead with Saturday night's win. Capall Zidane, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Concorde x Baloubet du Rouet, has been incredibly consistent for the rider and continues to prove himself.

 

"I came down here for the holiday horse show, and he was second in the two 1.45m classes, and then he had a rail in the World Cup and came thirteenth," McGuigan explained. "Last week was his first week back and he was third in the WEF and fourth in the grand prix, and this week he was third in the WEF again and topped it off tonight, so he can have a rest now."

 

Commenting on his jump-off round, McGuigan noted, "I was usually fighting most of the year here with Todd, so I knew I had to try and beat him. The turn back to the third jump I had to give him a little bit of time, it was tricky, but after that everything else you could gallop up to the jumps. He's very careful, so the jump-off course kind of suited me." 

 

McGuigan, originally from Ireland, came to America 12 years ago and now has a farm in New Jersey. He is enjoying the opportunity to jump at a higher level and acknowledged that Saturday's win was the biggest of his career.

 

"This is the first time I've really had a chance to jump at this level," McGuigan detailed. "Mostly I have been training clients, so I'm just having fun with him. I've got a few new, young horses coming up behind him, so hopefully next year they can help me out a little and take the pressure off him."

 

"I've had him since he was a five-year-old," he added. "I bought him at the Hendrix auction, and I actually never went to try him. I just bought him off a DVD. When I bought him, all of my Irish pals called him the 'internet horse,' but I had the last laugh tonight. He has been very consistent since I've had him." 

 

Of course Todd Minikus would have liked to win on Saturday night, but he was very happy with his rounds on Quality Girl and also celebrated McGuigan's top finish.

 

"I'd like to congratulate Ronan; he has really done a great job with that horse," Minikus stated. "I have watched that horse, his career since Ronan started with him, and Ronan has done a hell of a job with him."

 

"Going early in the jump-off, I was mostly worried about Ronan because last year, during the summer, Ronan really started clicking with that horse and it is lightning fast," Minikus acknowledged. "Going in early you gotta be a little conservative and I kind of got stuck in the corner rolling back to the black vertical. I did one or two extra strides there that I didn't need to, but going early, that's what you have to do sometimes. Luck of the Irish was clearly there tonight."

 

Minikus explained that this was Quality Girl's first week back to showing after a well deserved two months off. The mare won nine grand prix classes in the 2013 season and is back for more.

 

"She's right back on track where she left off," he affirmed. "I was a little bit concerned about how she would come back after that long break because she has proven that she does well when she's in a continuation of showing, but it was all good. I'm pretty excited for the circuit."

 

Nicholas Dello Joio was showing Carlos V.H.P. Z for his previous owner, Emilie Martinsen, during last year's FTI WEF circuit and is excited to now have control of the talented gelding's career through his new Carlos Group ownership.

 

"We're really excited to do what we want with the horse, pick and choose what's best for our schedule and what we want to aim at," Dello Joio stated. "We know the kind of quality he has. He has already previously won a 5* grand prix back in Europe, so he has quite a record. He's an unbelievably careful horse and when he's confident, I think there's nothing he won't jump. Tonight he was super, so I'm really excited."

 

Matt Varney of Wellington Equestrian Realty had a great time watching Saturday night's class and congratulated the top competitors.   

 

"It's a great class," Varney stated. "This is the third time we've done this class and the third year it hasn't felt like Florida, so I'm just happy it turned out and we still had a great crowd out there and a full international tent. I really enjoy that. I am happy with the turnout every year at this time of year, and we are looking forward to our other class in a number of weeks."

 

www.showgroundslive.com.

FTI WEF 

Horse Show Wrap-Up

Hunter Highlights - Wednesday through Sunday

 

Lucador and Scott Stewart were awarded top honors in the Green Conformation Hunter division, presented by Shapley's Grooming Supplies, on Thursday afternoon of the FTI WEF. Stewart and Lucador took home the championship prize for the second week in a row after an incredible sweep of the division during Week 2 of the FTI WEF. The pair ultimately won all six classes in the division.

 

Reserve champion for the division was High Regard, owned by Glefke & Kensel, LLC, and ridden by Adam Ottomanelli. High Regard was third in the model and second under saddle with Ottomanelli before placing fifth in the handy round, and finishing second, third, and second over fences. 

 

Visse Wedell and Bona Fide emerged victorious from the Triple Crown Adult Amateur Hunter 36-50 Section A division at the FTI WEF on Friday. Wissell and Bona Fide, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Anne Mullally, were third under saddle and third and fifth over fences on the first day of competition before winning both over fences classes on day two to clinch the division champion title.

 

The reserve champion was Valobra, owned and ridden by Eva Bisso. Bisso and Valobra were second, first, third and second over fences.

 

Becky Gochman and Sambalino added another division champion title to their already long list of accolades on Saturday afternoon of the FTI WEF. Gochman and Sambalino, an 11-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Samba Hit, were crowned champions after winning two over fences rounds and placing second in another in addition to winning the under saddle class.

 

The reserve champion for the division was Amarillo with Katie Jacobs-Robinson. The pair were third in all six classes.

 

The trip from Tulsa, OK, was well worth the effort for Mindy Coretz and her 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Classic Contender. The pair were crowned division champions in the FarmVet Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter 18-35 division Sunday morning at the FTI WEF. Coretz and Classic Contender won two over fences classes, including the handy round, in addition to jumping to second and seventh place finishes.

 

The reserve champion for the division was Columbus, owned and ridden by Kathryn Haefner. Haefner piloted Columbus to two blue ribbon finishes, one over fences and one in the under saddle class.

 

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

 

Jumper Highlights - Wednesday through Sunday

Week two of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday morning with a win for Laura Kraut (USA) and Bonito R in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.40m speed class. Jack Hardin Towell, Shane Sweetnam, and Samuel Parot also got wins on the first day of week two competition.

Luc Musette of Belgium was the course designer in the International Arena at PBIEC for week two competition. Wednesday morning kicked off with 28 entries in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class with nine clear rounds and a win for Laura Kraut and Stars and Stripes' Bonito R with the fastest time of 65.653 seconds.

Lauren Tisbo (USA) and Tequestrian Farms LLC's La Centa finished second in 67.918 seconds. Jennifer Goddard (USA) and Stateside Farm LLC's Ungaro de la Hot Couture placed third in 69.260 seconds.

 

The International Arena at PBIEC had a very full schedule of competition on Wednesday as the FTI WEF gets underway with its first week of FEI classes, the first one being tomorrow's $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup. In today's $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class, there were 100 entries, and it was held in a "California Split," awarding two sets of placings.    

 A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was also held with 72 entries competing with 18 clear rounds and a win for Samuel Parot (CHI) and Carla TM. Laura Chapot (USA) and Bradberry finished second. Ronan McGuigan (IRL) and Capall Zidane placed third.

Week two of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Thursday with with a busy schedule of competition. The afternoon featured Round 2 of the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series, which was held in a "California Split" due to the large number of entries. The competition awarded two sets of placings, each with $34,000 distributed. Brazil's Alvaro de Miranda and AD Uutje and USA's Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star shared in the day's victory.

Luc Musette of Belgium set the course for Thursday's $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 with 98 entries competing in total. Out of 98, only eleven were able to clear the first round course to advance to the jump-off, and nine of those jumped double clear. Alvaro de Miranda and AD Uutje, owned by de Miranda and Victory Equestrian Sport BV, had the fastest time of 39.71 seconds overall for the win in Section A. Charlie Jacobs and CMJ Sporthorse LLC's Flaming Star finished in 39.85 seconds for the win in Section B.

 

The top three finishers in Section A included Alvaro de Miranda and AD Uutje, Lauren Hough (USA) and Laura and Meredith Mateo's Reconnaissance in second place with a time of 40.15 seconds, and Ronan McGuigan (IRL) and Capall Zidane in third with a time of 41.52 seconds.

 

Section B saw Charlie Jacobs and Flaming Star on top, with Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partners' Glory Days in second in 41.45 seconds, and Keean White (CAN) and Angelstone Partners' Pironella in third with a time of 41.81 seconds.

 

In addition to the prize money in Thursday's class, de Miranda earned a special $3,000 bonus as part of the SSG 'Go Clean for the Green' promotion for wearing his SSG 'Digital' Riding Gloves. Each week of the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series, a $3,000 bonus will be awarded to the winning rider if they are wearing SSG 'Digital' Riding Gloves in all rounds of competition with the SSG logo clearly visible.

 

An $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class was also held in the International Arena in the morning with a win for Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC's Powerplay. The $2,500 Amateur-Owner Jumpers, sponsored by Engel & V�lkers, Sollak Carr, saw a win for Erin Haas and North Face Farm's As Di Chupito.

Friday's competition at the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) featured two classes for the 1.40m Jumpers in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) with a win for Laura Chapot (USA) and Bradberry in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge and a top finish for Todd Minikus (USA) and Babalou 41 in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Jump-Off.

 

In the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge he saw 57 entries with 23 clear rounds. Laura Chapot and her consistent veteran partner, Bradberry, went early in the order and put down what would prove to be an unbeatable time of 59.731 seconds.

Nick Novak earned second and third place honors with his two mounts. Novak finished second aboard YB Blue in a time of 60.46 seconds and earned the third place prize with Springfield Tennessee in 62.931 seconds.

 

A $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class was also held earlier in the day with a win for Todd Minikus and Kathryn Haefner LLC's Babalou 41. The class saw 85 entries with 34 in the jump-off and 23 double clear rounds. Minikus and Babalou 41 had the fastest time of 29.775 seconds. Laura Chapot and Quointreau un Prince, owned by Chapot and McLain Ward, finished second in 30.765 seconds.

Week two of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) concluded on Sunday with a win for Jordan MacPherson (CAN) and Piccobello du val de Geer in the $34,000 Suncast� 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in Association with Guido Klatte, also kicked off with its first class of the circuit and a win for Victoria Colvin and Don Juan.

 

Luc Musette set a challenging track for Sunday's 1.50m class that yielded just three clear rounds out of 44 entries. In the jump-off, Jordan MacPherson and JEM Stables Inc.'s Piccolbello du val de Geer were first to go and the only pair to jump the short course without fault. They were the winners with a clear round 41.65 seconds.

Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and David Gochman's Attack II went next and had one rail down for four faults in 41.97 seconds to finish third. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Prof de la Roque had the time in 40.50 seconds, but also had a rail in the short course and finished on four faults to earn second place honors.

 

The Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, hosted its first competition of the circuit on Sunday with a $10,000 speed class and a win for 16-year-old Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, riding Brigid Colvin and Karen Long Dwight's 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Don Juan (by Flamenco Desemilly x Lagano).

 

 

  

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

FTI WEF 

Horse Show Wrap-Up

 

Week 2 Classic Winners:  

$15,000 Engel & Volkers, Sollak Carr SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Adrienne Sternlich and Oreade des Dames

 

$10,000 Sleepy P Ranch SJHOF High Junior Jumpers - Brett Burlington and Catch Me T

 

$10,000 Animo USA Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Sarah Ryan and Orleen

 

$10,000 Charles Owen Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers - Meg O'Mara and Sinatra IV

 

$10,000 Martha Jolicoeur, Illustrated Properties Adult Jumpers 18-35 - Annie Friedman and Vanotrouska

 

$10,000 Classical South Florida Adult Jumpers 36-49 - Joaquina Barrios and Simply the Best

 

$10,000 Horseware Ireland Don Little Masters - Lucy Mitchell-Innes and Riley II

$10,000 Maria Mendelsohn, Illustrated Properties Low Junior Jumpers - Emanuel Andrade and Oxford

 

$10,000 Hollow Creek Farm Medium Junior Jumpers - Victoria Colvin and Monsieur du Reverdy   

 

Week 2 Champions:

EnTrust Capital Children's Jumper 14 & Under - Isabella Russekoff and Mister Cash van der Veldmden

 

FarmVet Adult Modified Jumpers - Heather Flynn and Une Etoile de l'Eclypse

 

National Distaster Solutions Children's Jumper 15-17 - Kendra Gierkink and Karonda V. Schl'hof CH

 

Griffis Residential Children's Modified Jumpers - Kera McCandless and Cayman

 

Equiline Low Adult Jumper 18-35 - Kaitlyn Calamos and Tuxedo

 

Low Adult Jumper 36 & Over - Virginia McNeil and Le Diam de Rhuys

 

Crown Family Low Children's Jumper - Victoria Craig and Bellalina

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