Wellington, FL – December 2016 – Emanuel Andrade of Wellington, FL, concluded a tremendous week at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) after taking top honors in both the $25,000 TACKNRIDER Grand Prix and $10,000 TACKNRIDER Stake during ESP Holiday I competition. Andrade finished one, two, three in the $25,000 TACKNRIDER Grand Prix aboard Nokia De Brekka, Dipssy, and Bon Jovi respectively. Guiding Nokia de Brekka to the win with a time of 44.716 seconds, Andrade also produced two clear rounds with Dipssy, finishing in 45.357 seconds and Bon Jovi completing the track in 45.794 seconds.
Andrade had four entries in the class and amassed an impressive finish with his top mounts following in consecutive order. The class featured 32 combinations and a large jump-off of 12 entries, while course designer Hector Loyola of Wellington, FL, built the track. Andrade outmaneuvered the class, finding the quickest routes around the short course with each of his mounts who qualified for the jump-off. Andrade’s three mounts were the only to finish with a double clear effort on the day.
Andrade and Nokia De Brekka. PC: Mancini Photos
“As always, I came in to today wanting to do the best I could. The past couple of weeks have been very successful,” he said. “The grand prix today was more technical and a bit more difficult so I feel like it was a really good day.”
Andrade has excelled at PBIEC since his return to Wellington late fall and feels that his horses are in top shape and gaining strength in the ring that is essential to being competitive at the top levels.
“It was easier for me to feel comfortable with three horses in the jump-off because you have three opportunities. When you look at the class list for today there were a lot of riders with experience and great horses so I’m just really happy that we finished the way we did.”
“All three of my rides were the only double clear rounds today and it was a tough track. I’m very proud of my horses,” he added.
Andrade and Nokia De Brekka in their presentation ceremony with ring master Steve Rector and Amit Ramani, owner of TACKNRIDER. PC: Mancini Photos
Andrade entered the ring on Bon Jovi knowing that he had already secured first and second place, which is an interesting but unusual position for riders contesting a competitive grand prix. Demonstrating his intense will to win, Andrade wanted to try and best his own winning time.
“When I went in on Bon Jovi I wanted to try and beat myself. That’s the best part of competing is having the chance to try and beat yourself in a class like this,” he continued.
The Venezuelan star has always been a tough and consistent competitor during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), garnering top accolades in numerous divisions throughout the 12-week circuit. This year, the Under 25 classes is set to be the focus for Andrade, while an exciting new mount will take center stage on Saturday nights under the lights.
Emanuel Andrade and Dipssy in their presentation ceremony with ring master
Steve Rector. PC: Mancini Photos
“I’m going to try and do my best. I jump a lot of the Under 25 classes and we just got a new horse that is going to be very good for the Saturday night classes so we will see. I’m very excited to see if we can continue to have good results at WEF.”
Andrade also took first place aboard Dipssy in the $10,000 TACKNRIDER Stake earlier in the week, as the pair navigated the jump-off track in 37.167 seconds ahead of Ian Millar of Perth, ON, who guided Vittorio 8 to second place with a time of 38.82 seconds. Wilhelm Genn of Lebanon, OH, and Bugatti rounded out the top three after completing the track in 39.029 seconds. The class saw six combinations qualify for the short course, while a total of 26 entries took to the initial track.
Jumper Highlights
The $2,500 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic was championed by Samantha Karp of Wellington, FL, and her own David, who paced the class with a 35.07 in the jump-off round for the win. Stephanie Ann Cook of Franklin, TN, and Fidele, owned by Lionsway Farm, captured second place after adding four faults to their time of 38.375 seconds. Deborah Perkins of Wellington, FL, and Emerald Grace, owned by Jimmy & Danielle Torano, finished in third after dropping a rail for four faults and completing the track in 40.029 seconds.
Filip de Wandel and Innocent Nina, owned by Five Way Farm LLC, captured top honors in the $5,000 1.35m Jumper Classic after besting the jump-off round with a time of 46.55 seconds. Denis Coakley of Lake Worth, FL, and Sterling Un Prince, owned by Matt Garrigan, finished in second place after completing the track in 46.748 seconds, while Conor O’Regan of Upperville, VA, and Touche Windsor Z, owned by Windsor Farm Sales, rounded out the top three finishers after adding four faults to their time of 47.053 seconds.
The $1,500 Low Child/Adult Jumper Classic presented by Equine Couture & Tuff Rider saw Star Schatten of Franklin, TN, and Cayotee, owned by Lionsway Farm rise to the top of the competitive class. The pair finished the short course in 34.86 seconds ahead of Samantha Briggs of Lexington, KY, and Leonardo, owned by Higgns’ Investments, who stopped the timers in 37.519 seconds. Zayna Rizvi of Greenwich, CT, and Forget Me Knot, owned by Peacock Ridge, LLC, secured third place after completing the track in 39.702 seconds.
Hunter Highlights
Madeline Thatcher of Bluffdale, UT, had a spectacular weekend in the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6″ 18-35 Division, piloting Sterling, owned by Pony Lane Farm, and Summer Place, also owned by Pony Lane Farm, to champion and reserve champion respectively.
Patricia Griffith of New York, NY, guided Chicago, owned by Callie Seaman, to divisional honors in the Green Hunter 3’6″ Division, while Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA, and High Priority, owned by Zenfield Farm, captured reserve champion.
Griffith also continued with her win streak aboard Clearline Z, owned by Mclain Ward, in the High Performance & Green Hunter 3’9″ Division ahead of Maggie Jayne of Elgin, IL, and Like I Said, owned by Pony Lane Farm, who took home reserve champion.
The Junior/Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″ Division saw Elizabeth Kirby of Wellington, FL, and Reservation, owned by E.K. Equestrian LLC, ride to the top of the division and earn champion accolades. Hana Bieling of Wellington, FL, and Waterfall, owned by Jennifer Combs, were presented with reserve.
Christina Rogalny of Wellington, FL, and Redeemed, owned by Carol Ruth & Sumner Hill Farms, LLC, led the competition in the Junior Hunter 3’6″ Division presented by #1 Education Place to take home champion honors ahead of Alexa Schwitzer of Muttontown, KY, and In Joy, owned by Over The Top Stables LLC, who finished in the reserve position.
The Large Pony Hunter Division was championed by Chase Finizio of Boca Raton, FL, and California Dreamin’, owned by Millennium Farm, Inc. Sophia Calamari of New Milford, PA, and Fox Creek’s Antony Quinn, owned by Dianna Orona, collected reserve champion.
Alexandra Lynn Willner of Boca Raton, FL, and Anisette, owned by Hannah Hoch, were awarded with the divisional championship after a consistent week of riding. Willner also captured reserve champion honors in the division aboard Rosewood, owned by Hannah Egan.
Zayna Rizvi of Greenwich, CT, and Canterbrook Prince Charming, owned by Ella Bikoff, found themselves atop the Small Pony Hunter Division, while Mia Green of Delray Beach, FL, and Bieber, owned by Laura Barrett-Gurtis, took reserve.
The $500 Pony Hunter Classic presented by Moorcroft, Inc. saw Alexandra Lynn Willner of Boca Raton, FL, secure first place in the class aboard Anisette, owned by Hannah Hoch. Zayna Rizvi of Greenwich, CT, and Anderin’s Momento, owned by Ella Bikoff took second place, while Willner captured third place in the class aboard Rosewood, owned by Hannah Egan.
For more information on Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and to see a full list of results please visit www.pbiec.com.