Canada’s Erynn Ballard rode Hathina Z to with the Spy Coast Farm 7-Year-Old Young Jumper 1.30m on Friday, January 17, during the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.
WEF continues through March 29, 2020 with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer. The second week of competition at WEF is sponsored by NetJets and recognized as a CSI2* by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The week’s featured event is the $73,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI2* during “Saturday Night Lights” on January 18, at 7 p.m. in the International Arena.
The future of show jumping was featured in the Spy Coast Farm 7-Year-Old Young Jumper 1.30m with Ballard and Hathina Z taking the victory with more than a second to spare over fellow Canadian Mario Deslauriers riding Cantinori. Ballard stopped the clock double-clear in 36.209 seconds in the two-round class set by course designer Ana Catalina Cruz Harris (MEX), while Deslauriers posted a time of 37.371 seconds for owners Aram Ampagoumian LLC and Wishing Well Farm LLC.
Hathina Z joined Ballard’s string from the European edition of The Ten Auction in 2019 and is being aimed at the $20,000 Spy Coast Farm Seven Year Old Developing Jumper Series Classic at the conclusion of the season.
“She only did about four shows last summer,” but every time she has been amazing. “We geared her up during pre-circuit and she feels great.
“She’s careful and one that goes better with speed so she excels in the jump-off,” continued Ballard. “We have some good young horses but she is extra special.”
Ballard won the Spy Coast Farm Seven Year Old Developing Jumper Series Classic in 2019 and is hopeful that Hathina Z can make it two-in-a-row for her. “We buy horses specifically for these classes to develop them,” said Ballard of the developing jumper program at WEF. “It’s nice to showcase them in these classes and the final, and this recognition looks great on their record.”
Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam finished third riding HDB Quality, owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Spy Coast Farm, while Quentin Judge (USA) took fourth on HH Zorro Z for Double H Farm. Maggie McAlary (USA) rounded out the top five riding her own Cajou van Overiz Z.
Also winning in the International Arena at WEF on Friday was Olivia Herbert (USA) who won the $2,500 Lugano Diamonds High Amateur-Owner Jumper riding Chakato VL, and John Nagus (USA) topped the $1,500 Griffis Residential High Junior Jumper aboard W. Tonix Hero, owned by Stephanie E Angus. In the FEI ranks, Luis Larrazabal (VEN) claimed victory in the $6,000 Bainbridge 1.40m CSI2* on Caristina for owner San Francisco Stables LLC.
Major reporting contributions for this article were received from the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington FL. and Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. Please visit Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at pbiec.coth.com or call (561) 793-5867, or email info@equestriansport.com. Please visit Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. at jenniferwoodmedia.com or email info@jenniferwoodmedia.com.
