Out of a field of 29 entries, Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) stood at the top after a fast jump-off round in 37.178 seconds riding Just A Gamble. Eleven advanced to the jump-off over a course set by Eric Hasbrouck of the United States. Coming in second place was Mario Deslauriers (CAN) on Amsterdam 27 in 37.202 seconds, while Jonathan McCrea (USA) and Aristoteles V took third place with a time of 37.748 seconds.
Adrienne Sternlicht and Just A Gamble. Photo © Sportfot.
This was the first week of competition for Sternlicht and her new horse, Just A Gamble, who arrived in Florida in December, and they have since spent time getting to know each other.
“[It] was really not doing too much flatwork because she’s super hot,” said Sternlicht of the 10-year-old BWP mare by Toulon x Corofino. “We’ve put her on what we call the ‘Rothchild Program’, which is a lot of walk/trot work, a lot of trail riding, trying to get her to settle a bit. It’s almost better if she’s more unfit than fit. Even with her build and technique, she’s a powerhouse behind, she has all the scope in the world. It’s about keeping her mentally calm.
“She’s a really amazing mare and has a really great brain,” she continued. “I felt really comfortable on her. My plan for the circuit is to still just take it week by week with her. She’s also green at the highest level. Our plans fell nicely into place because her rider didn’t veer off course.”
Adrienne Sternlicht and Just A Gamble in their winning presentation with Laura Southard, Brand Ambassador for CaptiveOne Advisors, and ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo © Sportfot.
This was the pair’s first jump-off together, and they went third in the jump-off with plans to be neat and stick to the plan, which paid off with the victory.
“She’s probably the naturally quickest horse I’ve ever had; I just have to think ‘turn,’” said the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games team gold medalist. “She’s very quick across the ground; she doesn’t spend a ton of time in the air. I’d say I followed the plan for the most part. It’s my tendency to overcontrol or add as a rider, so it was nice to feel off the bat that comfort level of going with her. Around the turn to the third fence, I would have liked to be a bit smoother, but I think as I get to know her, we’ll get to iron out the kinks.”
Final Results: $25,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Classic
1 JUST A GAMBLE: 2009 BWP mare by Toulon x Corofino
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms 1 LLC: 0/0/37.178
2 AMSTERDAM 27: 2010 Holsteiner gelding by Catoki x Acord II
MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0/0/37.202
3 ARISTOTELES V: 2005 KWPN stallion by Padinus x Lux
JONATHAN MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble: 0/0/37.748
4 ZORRAN: 2010 KWPN gelding by Zorro x Peter Pan
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/0/38.467
5 VAN GOGH: 2008 Oldenburg gelding by Valentino x Caretano Z
WILHELM GENN (USA), Wilhelm & Patty Genn: 0/0/38.534
6 KONING BOUDEWIJN: 2010 BWP gelding by Gentleman x Robin des Bruyeres
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Ilan Ferder: 0/0/38.902
7 BARDOLINA 2: 2009 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Landos
MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Wishing Well Farm LLC: 0/0/39.356
8 TEDDY DU BOSQUETIAU: 2003 Belgian Sport Horse gelding by Ogano Sitte x Albion du Chene Brule
KAREN SPARKS (CAN), Brookstreet Stables: 0/0/39.757
9 PALINA DE L’ESCAUT: 2009 Hanoverian mare by Perigueux x Gottard
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Sweet Oak Farm, Spy Coast Farm, and Paul Tracy: 0/4/37.374
10 EMIR D: 2004 BWP gelding by Querlybet Hero x Forever
SHANNON HICKS (USA), Helen Gilbert: 0/4/38.085
11 CHRISTIAAN: 2007 KWPN gelding by Verdi x Ekstein
CALLIE SCHOTT (USA), Callie Schott: 0/4/39.185
12 RF CASABLANCA: 2010 Holsteiner mare by Cosido x Landos
MARILYN LITTLE (USA), Raylyn Farms, Inc.: 4/72.837