The sixth week of the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) started out strong on Wednesday, February 14, for Molly Ashe (USA) recording a one-two finish in the $35,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m Jumpers on Louisburg Farm’s Balous Day Date and Picobello Choppin PC.
It was a great day for Ashe who had a top finish on two horses. Thirty entries went to post in the power and speed format class over a course designed by Ana Catalina Harris of Mexico. Clear in both phases of the course, Ashe and Balous Day Date, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare by Balou du Rouet x Domino, sped to the win in a time of 27.53 seconds.
Molly Ashe and Balous Day Date. Photo by SportFot Photography
Ashe and Picobello Choppin PC, a 10-year-old SBS gelding by Mozart des Hayettes x Diamant de Semilly, were close behind in second with a time of 27.90 seconds. Third place went to Jose Roberto Reynoso (BRA) on Tanita de Galeste, owned by Franck Henouda, in 28.04 seconds.
“I couldn’t be happier with her,” Ashe said of Balous Day Date, her partner of more than three years. “She hadn’t been in a small venue in awhile, so it was sort of out of nowhere. She handled it great. She’s pretty true to any venue actually. She’s pretty experienced. It’s nice to have a horse like that when you change it up like this.”
Balous Day Date is celebrating her 13th birthday today. Ashe described the mare as “hot and feisty,” but “very direct to the jumps.”
“Everything feels like you’re in fast forward,” she said.
Returning from time off in 2017, Ashe is pointing Balous Day Date towards her next class, the $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.50m Classic on the grass derby field on Saturday.
“She’s just getting going again,” said Ashe. “We’re doing it week by week, but I think she feels great. She’s been stepping right up to the plate every time out, so hopefully we’ll do bigger classes here before the end of circuit.”
Molly Ashe in the awards presentation with John Greene of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Photo by SportFot Photography
Picobello Choppin PC is a barn favorite at Louisburg Farm due to his engaging personality. Ashe has been working with him for three years, having started in the 7 Year Old Young Jumpers.
“Every time out he gives his all, and he winds up near the top of the class, usually in the ribbons,” she said.
“They’re both very fast horses. ‘Chops’ spends a bit more time in the air than [Balous Day Date],” compared Ashe. “He goes up high, and she’s like a bullet. It’s similar, but we waste a little time in the air with Chops, which is how they beat him sometimes.”
“I was super happy with both of them,” she concluded. “It’s a nice win for (owner) Beth (Johnson). She’s been such a great supporter, and for everyone at Louisburg Farm who has put in so much time and effort, it’s always nice when it comes out that way.”
Final Results: $35,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Jumpers
1 BALOUS DAY DATE: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Balou du Rouet x Domino MOLLY ASHE-CAWLEY (USA), Louisburg Farm: 0/0/27.53
2 PICOBELLO CHOPPIN PC: 2008 SBS gelding by Mozart des Hayettes x Diamant de Semilly MOLLY ASHE (USA), Louisburg Farm: 0/0/27.90
3 TANITA DE GALESTE: 2007 Selle Francais mare by Calvaro x First Bride JOSE ROBERTO REYNOSO (BRA), Franck Henouda: 0/0/28.04
4 GALAN S: 2006 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Indoctro x Calypso d’Herbiers BEAT MÄNDLI (SUI), Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/0/28.45
5 VDL BRAVO S: 2006 KWPN gelding by Ephepe For Ever x Chellano Z HUNTER HOLLOWAY (USA), Hays Investment Corp.: 0/0/28.54
6 CARNA Z: 2005 Zangersheide mare by Crown Z x Grannus GUSTAVO PRATO (ARG), Equus Forte LLC: 0/0/28.63
7 D CANCARRA A.C.: 2009 SBS stallion by Contefino x Kashmir van Schuttershof OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS (BEL), Ludo Philippaerts: 0/0/29.62
8 CICERO’S ELECTRIC: 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Cicero Z x Mistral PETER WYLDE (USA), Aram Ampagoumian LLC: 1/0/29.87
9 DAVIDSON: 2008 KWPN gelding by Harley VDL x Chin Chin CALLAN SOLEM (USA), Five Star Partners: 1/1/31.17
10 DIVINE DE LA ROQUE: 2008 KWPN mare by For Hero x Kannan MARIE HECART (FRA), Normandie Connection: 0/4/28.60
11 WAOMI: 2003 KWPN mare by Lupicor x Boreas ALEX GRANATO (USA), Amalaya Investments: 0/4/28.73
12 DIBATSJA: 2008 KWPN mare by Veron x Indoctro BEAT MÄNDLI (SUI), Grant Road Partners LLC: 0/4/28.89