Sunday, April 3, 2011

Jumping: Wellington: WEF: Horn and Lamotte Speed to Win Adult Modified and Masters Jumper Classes at The Stadium

Susan Horn and Phenix de Coquerie

For Immediate Release
Brooke Bidgood for Equestrian Sport Productions

Wellington, FL - April 2, 2011 - It was an exciting day at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center's derby field, The Stadium. In a rare opportunity, Modified Adult Jumper riders and Masters Jumper riders were given the chance to show on The Stadium's derby field over a course designed by Anthony D'Ambrosio from Red Hook, New York. Susan Horn rode the Kingsfield Farm entry Phenix De Coquerie to the win in the $1,500 Paddock Cakes Adult Modified Jumpers, and Elizabeth Lamotte rode her own mount, Katharine, to the win in the $1,500 Masters Jumpers.

Running through Sunday, April 3, the remaining feature events include the Finals for the Adequan Young Jumpers. 
Elizabeth Lamotte and Katharine

Besting a field of sixteen entries in the Table A Speed format class, Horn and Phenix De Coquerie flew through the timers with a clean round in 72.776 seconds. Of the sixteen entries, only five were clear, but none were fast enough to catch Horn, who hails from King City, Ontario, Canada.

The second place horse and rider combination in today's Paddock Cakes Adult Modified Jumpers was Nicole Schwarzer and her mount Good Luck Scappino. The duo soared through timers in 73.298 seconds. Third place was awarded to Vicki Lowell and her entry Tippitoo. Lowell and Tippitoo crossed the timers in 73.454 seconds, just missing the second place ribbon.

Horn's mount, Phenix De Coquerie, is an eight-year-old Selle Francais gelding, which Horn has been bringing up through the jumper ranks for the last three seasons. "He's still young, so we like to give him some variation," said Horn. While Horn has been showing Phenix De Coquerie in some Low Amateur-Owner Jumper classes, she didn't want to miss the opportunity to compete on the grass. "He's done some 1.20m and some 1.25m classes, but we came here today to go out on the grass field," explained Horn.

The D'Ambrosio course was thoughtfully built. While there were some challenging areas, like an in-and-out away from the in-gate, it seemed to suit almost everyone. "The first jump was very welcoming, and it got harder as you went," stated Horn about today's course. "There were options everywhere, so riders could take it at their own pace."

While Horn has spent the winter here in Wellington, she plans to go back closer to her home in Canada for the summer months. "We'll stay and do the spring circuit here. Then, we may do some Spruce Meadows in the spring, and probably stay around the Ontario area in the summer," explained Horn.

The Masters Jumpers saw fourteen entries this afternoon, but last year's winner Elizabeth Lamotte still couldn't be caught. She raced through the timers in 70.611 seconds on the same mount that she rode to the win last year.

Second place in the Masters Jumpers was awarded to Ellen St. John and her mount Tajmyra Greenfield. The pair had a fast time of 71.537 seconds for the second place ribbon. Missing the red ribbon by only fractions of a second, All That and Murray Kessler took home the third place ribbon with a time of 71.825 seconds.

Lamotte, who took a long break from riding, began riding again only four years ago. "I was away from the sport for about forty years. Then, my son went to college, and my sister asked me what I was going to do, and I said, 'I want to go back to riding.'"

A customer of Kevin Babington, Lamotte was thrilled to take home the win for a second year in a row. "I like to go fast, and I like to go cross-country, so for me, this is my favorite," beamed Lamotte about her win on the derby field.

Lamotte had only good things to say about today's course. "It was beautiful and so rideable. Anthony D'Ambrosio builds terrific courses," said Lamotte.

A nice addition to the Masters Jumper division is the friendships that exist between the riders that show in the division. "We are all friends, and we all root each other on," smiled Lamotte. "It's so nice that they let us be out here, and it's such a treat. I look forward to it all year."


Elizabeth Lamotte and Katharine with friends
 

The twelfth and final week of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival will continue tomorrow with the $10,000 Adequan Five-Year-Old Young Jumpers, followed by the $15,000 Adequan Six-Year-Old Young Jumpers, the $20,000 Adequan Seven-Year-Old Young Jumpers, and finally, the $20,000 Adequan Eight-Year-Old Young Jumpers; all happening in the International Arena on Sunday.

Final Results: $1,500 Paddock Cakes Adult Modified Jumper
1. Phenix de Coquerie, Susan Horn, Kingsfield Farm: 0/72.776
2. Good Luck Scappino, Nicole Schwarzer, Nicole Schwarzer: 0/73.298
3. Tippitoo, Vicki Lowell, Vicki Lowell: 0/73.454
4. Quadrifolio de Neronry, Elizabeth Maloney, Elizabeth Maloney: 0/74.028
5. Rusi, Anna McWane, Anna McWane: 0/77.454
6. Korrado de Combord VDL, Leopoldina Castro, Leopoldina Castro: 4/74.101
7. Lincoln, Susan Horn, Ruth Horn: 4/76.414
8. Irie, Elizabeth Maloney, Elizabeth Maloney: 4/82.056
9. Fenway, Ahmed Alali, AAA Eq., LLC: 4/82.833
10. Midnight Hour, Melissa Lesch, Melissa Lesch: 8/72.009
11. Unique Babouche, Jane Schwartz, Jane Schwartz: 8/87.383
12. Clio 25, Lianne Selke, Lianne Selke: 10/93.649

Final Results: $1,500 Masters Jumpers
1. Katharine, Elizabeth Lamotte, Elizabeth Lamotte: 0/70.611
2. Tajmyra Greenfield, Ellen St. John, Ellen St. John: 0/71.537
3. All That, Murray Kessler, Murray Kessler: 0/71.825
4. Quannan de Bray, Nancy Benson, Nancy Benson: 0/75.378
5. Braveheart, Elizabeth Lamotte, Elizabeth Lamotte: 0/76.929
6. Cordeleon, Lindsay Harms, Lindsay Harms: 4/69.571
7. Mr. Nightime, Donald Little, Donald Little: 4/71.123
8. Trueman's Affair, John Tredenick, M/M John Tredennik and Wood Run Farm: 4/73.852
9. Conto, Barbara Rochford, Barbara Rochford: 4/74.041
10. Loose Lucy, Sally Slater, Sally Slater: 4/87.169
11. Hat Trick, Pamela Stearns, Pamela Stearns: 12/72.631

Photo Credit: Photos © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, www.sportfot.com .

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