Turf Tour Week 3 at Black Watch Farm was a record breaking event for The Ridge at Wellington. With entries at capacity, riders from around the world vied to compete on the exceptional grass footing. Hunters, jumpers, and eventers chose to make The Ridge’s Turf Tour experience their show destination during the third week of the winter equestrian season in Wellington.
Wednesday’s $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classic shattered records as the largest class ever hosted by The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour. Seventy-two entries tackled the course set by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios, and a number of the sport’s most recognized names put hoof to turf during the chilly opening day at Black Watch. Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Grateful emerged victorious, jumping-off in 39.839 seconds. Of the remaining seven double clear efforts, Willie Tynan aboard Michelle Guardino-Dettelbach’s Freya finished second on 40.582 seconds and Kyla Makhloghi with Rosemont Farm’s Hurry Up B finished third on 41.897 seconds. Some other top names to fill the Rising Star were Olympian Rodrigo Pessoa, Olympian Lauren Hough, Andrew Bournes, Daniel Bluman, Ali Wolff, and Jessica Springsteen.
Friday’s 1.40M Turf Tour Grand Prix, presented by Equine America Magazine, welcomed 47 entries who were put to the test over a technical course once again from Olympic designer Leopoldo Palacios. The challenging yet versatile set of jumps on Black Watch’s grass field yielded only 2 double clear efforts, but also offered the opportunity for riders to jump for the first time in the Grand Prix. Palacios included a wall, skinny vertical, a triple bar, a dry liverpool, and interesting triple and double combinations. Spacing allowed for ambitious or conservative riding on the superb turf footing. Jordan Coyle and Chuckles, owned by Tegan Elizab L. Treacy, were the fastest of the two double clears, galloping through the timers to finish on 42.870 seconds. Michael Kearins and Sligo Balou Boy were the only other double clear, finishing in 48.224. Ali Wolff and Casall finished third as the fastest of the four faulters, in 42.120 seconds.
Despite the course’s challenges, one rider brought her ‘horse of all firsts’ to add another debut to his resume: Serena Marron of New York, New York jumped in her first Grand Prix aboard Loxley, who is known around the barn as Panda and owned by Horse Orchard, LLC. “Panda was my first High Amateur horse, my first 1.30M horse, and today, my first 1.40M horse,” said Marron. “We had a few rails but since it was my first time jumping at this level I couldn’t be happier. He’s the bravest, sweetest horse ever, and the ring here was amazing. We like showing at The Ridge because its quiet but has everything we need to grow and develop.”
More photos from Turf Tour Week 3 at Black Watch Farm!
About the 2020 Wellington Turf Tour, Hunter Derby Days, USEF Equitation Tuesdays, and The Ridge Schooling Shows
The 2020 Wellington Turf Tour features 12-weeks of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition at all heights and prize money classes including weekly $15,000 1.40-1.45M Grand Prix and $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classics, all held at beautiful venues around Wellington. This year’s destinations include The Ridge’s home farm, Black Watch Farm, To-Kalon Farm, and Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. In 2020, The Ridge will donate $10 for every horse entered in the 2020 Turf Tour to the Kevin Babington Foundation.
USEF Equitation Tuesday runs each Tuesday afternoon at The Ridge’s home farm (14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd) featuring pony equitation, adult equitation, junior equitation, and Medal Maclay. New this year for the Equitation Tuesdays, unrecognized hunter divisions and Marshall & Sterling Classics!
The Turf Tour and its hunter/jumper/equitation events are a unique addition to Wellington’s winter circuit, offering riders top-tier competition, generous prize money, and an unparalleled atmosphere. Young horses and advancing riders are able to test their mettle in classes ranging from junior and amateur jumpers to the Grand Prix, and at a variety of venues reminiscent of the large European tours. Organized by US Olympic show jumper Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the vision that inspired the tour’s conception was to stage competitions on turf and natural surfaces away from the intensity of other show grounds.
Major reporting contributions for this article were received from the The Ridge Showjumping in Wellington FL. and Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC. Please visit The Ridge Show Jumping at TheRidgeShowJumping.com or call (561)791-1471 , or email info@ridgeshowjumping.com. Please visit Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC. at www.equinium.com or email holly@equinium.com. All photos are property of Romeo Ghete and Equinium/The Ridge at Wellington
