“This horse show is truly amazing – for the horses, the riders, the grooms
and the owners…” – Olympic Champion Ben Maher
The CP Palm Beach Masters Winter Classic CSI4*-W Presented by Suncast, the first event in the 2019 Palm Beach Masters Series®, garnered rave reviews from the star-studded lineup of riders that included Olympic veterans and FEI World Cup™ Champions. In all, 74 horses from 12 nations took part in international competition throughout the four-day event, held January 31–February 3 at the stunning Deeridge Farms, home of the Jacobs family, in Wellington, Florida.
This is the fourth year Deeridge Farms has hosted the Palm Beach Masters Series®, and if the riders have any say, the series will continue for many years to come.
Alex Granato (USA) and Carlchen W scored the weekend double, beating two former FEI World Cup™ Champions to win the $208,200 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington, the penultimate east coast qualifier for the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg, Sweden. Olympic veteran Mario Deslauriers (CAN), the 1984 FEI World Cup™ Champion, rode Bardolina to second-place honors in the competition’s featured event, while 2007 FEI World Cup™ Champion and Olympic veteran Beat Mändli (SUI) placed third with Dsarie.
“It’s been an amazing week, and it’s all just very surreal,” said Granato, following his career-high victory. “It’s a privilege to get to ride at a venue like this and against riders like these whom I have looked up to for a long time. To have a week like this is amazing.”
Granato and Carlchen W also won the CSI4*-W $71,200 Suncast® Palm Beach Masters Qualifier two days prior, topping a massive 18-horse jump-off to ultimately clinch victory over second placed Danielle Goldstein (ISR) and Lizziemary and third placed Jessica Springsteen (USA) with Fleur de l’Aube.
Granato will long remember his time at Deeridge Farms. “It’s a beautiful venue. I can’t say enough nice things about this event,” he said. “They do a great job. It’s so great of them to open their facility for us to come over. It’s an energizer in the middle of the circuit for us as riders and for the horses to get to jump at this kind of venue.”
“I made it a point to come to this show,” added Goldstein. “The footing is amazing. It’s been raining a lot in the last week, but the footing felt like it hadn’t rained at all. It was really perfect. Everything about this event is incredible. The management is great, and they go out of their way to make your stay here extra special. I very much enjoy coming to this show.”
Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher (GBR) bested a seven-horse jump-off among riders from five nations to win the CSI4*-W $71,200 NetJets Classic aboard Cirus du Ruisseau Z, in which fractions of a second separated the top four. Conor Swail (IRL) and Rubens LS la Silla ultimately took second place while Nayel Nassar (EGY) aboard Lucifer V and Eve Jobs (USA) with Venue d’Fees des Hazalle tied for third place, remarkably finishing on the same time.
“This horse show is truly amazing – for the horses, the riders, the grooms and the owners,” said Maher. “Nothing is too much trouble. I have to say thank you to the Jacobs family for believing in our sport. Without that family and what they are doing here, a show like this wouldn’t exist. The way the show has developed in the last two to three years is incredible, and hopefully they are enjoying it, too, and they will continue to develop the show in the future. We all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
It was a successful first-time trip to Florida and Deeridge Farms for Olympic gold medalist Martin Fuchs (SUI), who took the top prize aboard Cristo in the opening CSI4*-W $35,700 CP Welcome Stake. Daniel Coyle (IRL) placed second on Quintin, while Daniel Bluman (ISR) was third on Entano.
Coyle, who won last year’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington remarked, “I love it here and have always had good results. I can’t complain about anything. I will keep coming back.”
Bluman will as well. “When you are riding in a venue like this where the footing is good, and the jumps are as nice as this, and you have a great course designer [Alan Wade], the horse gets better every time he jumps. This is the perfect venue to come and jump as much as you can.”
“This show is fantastic. This is where we start all of our bigger horses,” said Ali Wolff (USA), winner of the $25,000 Platinum Championship Grand Prix Presented by the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. “The grass ring is so great here. I don’t know a single horse that doesn’t like to jump on this type of footing, and they jump amazingly well, so you get the best of both worlds.”
“To see the level of competition here is extraordinary. That is the most gratifying to me – that people plan their year and bring their best horses here,” said Lou Jacobs, Series co-founder along with siblings Charlie Jacobs and Katie Jacobs Robinson. “As a family, the best times we’ve had have always revolved around horses. It brings us closer together as a family. It’s a love that we all share. This is a special place for our family and we are truly humbled to hear these wonderful comments. Nothing could be more gratifying.”
The next two world-class events of the 2019 Palm Beach Masters Series® are:
Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of the United States of America
February 14–17
The Palm Beach Masters Series® has been selected to host the 2019 CSIO5* Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of the United States of America, the only qualifier in the U.S. for the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final. Bringing together the top qualifying teams from around the world, the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ celebrates its 110th year in 2019 and will be hosted annually at Deeridge Farms through 2021. Deeridge Farms’ Nations Cup week will also include FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth competition for Young Riders, Juniors, and Children, showcasing the next generation of elite show jumping talent.
Deeridge Derby February 28–March 3
Returning for its third year is the Deeridge Derby, a USEF nationally rated show where the nation’s most elegant show hunters take will center stage. They’ll compete in prestigious classes, highlighted by the highly competitive $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.
Fun for Everyone, w With a revamped Just World International Kids’ Zone, luxurious Berkshire Bank VIP Club, new Boardwalk Boutiques and Taylor Harris Beach Bar, there is truly something for everyone at the CP Palm Beach Masters. The hospitality experience is enhanced with new picnic style tailgating spaces, where groups can more intimately enjoy the show in a relaxed setting. Tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so guests are encouraged to arrive at the grounds early and stake their claim to watch wall-to-wall competition.
The best views for the 2019 Palm Beach Masters Series are from the Berkshire Bank VIP Club, an exquisite two-story venue for watching the top-level competition in both competition arenas. Club members are treated to special amenities and one-of-a-kind culinary creations from Delaware North’s Patina Restaurant Group. In addition to the gourmet food served, a complimentary open bar and table service are also included. For more information and to reserve a table, visit: www.palmbeachmasters.com/vip-hospitality/
General admission and parking are free for all spectators. General admission seating in the grandstands is available on a first-come, first-serve basis for all events, including the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of the United States and the Deeridge Derby.
About the Palm Beach Masters Series® and Showgrounds at Deeridge Farms. The Palm Beach Masters Series® hosts top international equestrian competitors from across the U.S. and abroad. Beginning with one elite competition in 2016, the series has grown into one of the sport’s most prestigious events. The show grounds are located at the spectacular Deeridge Farms, situated in the heart of North American equestrian sport in Wellington, FL. Award-winning landscaping surrounds the custom-built show grounds and the facilities that host the series, which include two masterfully-created competition arenas – a Grand Prix turf arena and an all-weather sand arena. Additionally, there are two Bermuda grass schooling arenas—one designated for FEI and another for non-FEI competitors—along with an all-weather schooling arena adjacent to the competition arena and another located near the stables. The events’ picturesque location, unrivaled hospitality, custom-built jumping rings and world-class facilities guarantee a one-of-a-kind experience for riders and spectators alike.
Further information on the Palm Beach Masters Series® is available at www.palmbeachmasters.com
Major reporting contributions for this article were received from the Palm Beach Masters in Wellington FL. and Classic Communications.
