Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) leaped to victory in the $25,000 Vita Flex® Grand Prix in the 2018 ESP New Years at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Little flew through the course in 40.158 seconds to secure the win aboard RF Casablanca, a 2010 Holsteiner mare (Cosido x Landos) owned by Raylyn Farms, Inc.
Marilyn Little and RF Casablanca. Photo courtesy of PBIEC
Jumping in close behind, Manuel G. Torres (Waterford, VA) claimed second place riding Alejandro, a 2009 Rhenish Warmblood (Acorado’s Ass x Continue) owned by Santa Catalina Farm with a time of 42.787 seconds. Diego Vivero (Wellington, FL) earned third place jumping in tandem with Capiche ‘Ter Elzen’, a 2008 mare (Bamako De Muze x Nabab De Reve) owned by Javier Estrada earning a time of 40.373 seconds.
Jumping against 20 pairs, Little remained victorious in the course set by Jasen Shelly (Wellington, FL). “She’s been second in her last grand prixs, so I was really happy that she won. It was a great way to finish the year. She’s only eight, but I’ve had her since she was three, so it’s been really special to bring her up to this level,” Little stated.
Marilyn Little in her awards presentation ceremony with Victoria Newsom, Cadence Pence and Steven Rector, ringmaster. Photo courtesy of PBIEC
“She’s quite small, but she doesn’t know it. Jumps look a little big from where you sit on her back, but she’s got an incredible heart, she’s fast, and has lots of game. She’s a really exciting horse coming into next year, and I’m really happy to have her,” concluded Little.
Jumper Highlights
Diego Vivero in his awards presentation ceremony with Victoria Newsom and Steven Rector, ringmaster. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography
The $10,000 Vita Flex® 1.40m Open Stake awarded Diego Vivero of Wellington, FL, with first place with Bijoux owned by Javier Estrada. The pair completed the course in 40.302 seconds. Manuel G. Torres (Waterford, VA) earned second place with Alejandro owned by Santa Catalina Farm with a time of 42.124 seconds. Shane Sweetnam of Wellington, FL, took third place earning a time of 44.102 seconds with Palina De L’escaut owned by Sweet Oak Farm, Spy Coast Farm, and Paul Tracy.
In the 1.35m Stake sponsored by Martha Jolicoeur, Hayley Barnhill (Collierville, TN) rode home with blue aboard Imprimis owned by Windswept Farm earning a time of 35.563 seconds. Leslie Howard of Darien, CT, claimed second place with Flo owned by GJ Stable. Howard flew through the timers in 35.611 seconds. Schuyler Riley (Wellington, FL) stopped the times in 36.912 seconds to secure third place with G-Force owned by Wolfstone Stables & Sales Inc.
Hayley Barnhill in her awards presentation ceremony. Photo courtesy of PBIEC
The Equiline 1.40m High Jr/AO Jumper Stake congratulated Jazz Johnson Merton (Oldwick, NJ) with first place with mount, Corona SB with a time of 41.3 seconds. Sabrina Lefebvre of Terrebonne, QC, claimed second place with mount, Alaska. The pair jumped through the course in 38.309 seconds. Anna Beth Athey of Enid, OK, took third with mount Miss Lucy HH earning a time of 83.884 seconds.
The $2,500 NAL 1.35m Medium Jr/AO Jumper Stake sponsored by Equiline congratulated Caitlin Creel of Arlington Heights, IL, with top honors with mount, Dynamis KC securing a time of 41.117 seconds. Jazz Johnson Merton (Oldwick, NJ) earned second with mount, Pandora VG, stopping the timers in 42.197 seconds. Elissa Reisman (Caledon East, ON) took third with Citizenguard Cadjanine Z owned by Taboo Holdings Inc. The pair earned a time of 40.047 seconds.
The Osphos® 1.30m Level 6 Jumper awarded Abigail McArdle (Barrington, IL) with first place riding Fire Rocky, owned by Plain Bay Stables. McArdle stopped the timers in 30.052 seconds to secure the win. David Matisz of Middleburg, VA, claimed second place riding Livorno Agropoint owned by Donna Gumbin earning a time of 72.396 seconds.
Brooke Kennedy of Greenwood Village, CO, secured first place in the $2,500 NAL 1.25m Low Jr/AO Jumper Stake sponsored by Equiline. Kennedy finished the course in 38.939 seconds with mount, Barry Z, to secure the win. Brianne Link (East Islip, NY) took second place with mount, Wednesday Mornin earning a time of 36.968 seconds. Annabella Sanchez (Glencoe, IL) claimed third place with Corlanda owned by Amanda Flint. Sanchez completed the course in 37.235 seconds.
In the $1,500 M&S 1.15m Children’s Jumper Classic sponsored by Dover Saddlery, Ellen Mollerus (Larchmont, NY) jumped into first with Cardenfe owned by Abbey Soffer. The pair earned a time of 39.186 seconds. Lillie Parr of Marshall, TX, scored second with Oaks Valuna owned by Oakland Ventures LLC stopping the timers in 40.225 seconds. Ella Bostwick of Wellington FL, claimed third place riding Fiat, owned by Manuel Lecuona with a time of 43.741 seconds.
The $1,500 M&S 1.15m Adult Amateur Jpr Classic sponsored by Dover Saddlery awarded Stefani Green (Bernardsville, NJ) with top honors with mount, Wender R. Green jumped the course in 36.732 seconds. Lexi Maounis of Jupiter, FL, earned second place with mount, Roos, securing a time of 38.691 seconds. Maunis also earned third place riding Levistano Z owned by Heritage Farm, Inc. completing the course in 41.846 seconds.
The 1.0m Low Adult Jumper Classic awarded James Beranek of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with first place with mount, Quintana. The duo stopped the timers in 38.623 seconds. Emily Ablin of Palm Beach, FL, jumped into second with Persimmon owned by Leeann Ablin. Ablin completed the course in 45.97 seconds. Juliet Johnson (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) stopped the timers in 38.639 seconds to secure third place with mount, Viva’s Roxanna W.
Hanna Vickers of St. Augstine, FL, rode home with blue in the $250 .85 Classic. Vickers jumped through the course in 44.402 seconds with mount, Arc En Ciel. Abigail Joshi of New Hope, PA earned second place with mount, The S.S. Violet. Joshi stopped the timers in 76.886 seconds. Cassie Warren of New Cannon, CT, took third place riding Dolly Doo owned by Whipstick Farm LTD with a time of 85.118 seconds.