Alison Robitaille is Victorious in the $36,500 Grand Prix Qualifier
Two Days of Spectacular Competition Opens the Sacramento International Horse show
Alison Robitaille & Serise du Bidou, winners of the $365,500 Grand Prix Qualifier with Dale Harvey and Alexandra Swonke of West Palms Events. PC: Alden Corrigan
USA’s Alison Robitaille and Serise du Bidou, last to enter the ring and the only double clear, were delighted with their Grand Prix win this evening. Robitaille hasonly been riding this mare, owned by her parents Bertram and Diana Firestone, for eight months.
Robitaille explained, “I really haven’t had many jump-off’s with her and we’ve really started to click this last few months. Serise du Bidou has really become a great horse for me, I feel really fortunate. It is always lucky to go last in a jump-off, especially with no one else being clear. I trusted my horse was going to go clean so I didn’t take the risky inside cuts, and it paid off.”
The time allowed in the jump-off was set at 42 seconds, this provided Robitaille the opportunity to have up to 3 time faults and still win the class. They set a strong pace and were well within the required time.
“I didn’t want to get a bunch of time faults and she is happier going at a little bit of a roll anyway.” said Robitaille.
Alison Robitaille & Serise du Bidou. PC: Alden Corrigan
Forty seven entries competed, all with the goal of qualification for Saturdays $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Sacramento, presented by Lasher’s Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram. Canada’s Keean White and Corette finished in 2nd place with 4 penalties and 33.86 seconds on the clock, closely followed by USA’s Mandy Porter and Milano again with 4 penalties and 34.38 seconds in the jump-off.
Robitaille is keen to take part in Saturday’s class. Robitaille explained,”I am very much looking forward to the weekend, it is my first time here at this horse show and today has been a great way to start things off.
It is really lovely here at the Murieta Equestrian Center, it’s has very nice footing and it is great to try and qualify for a World Cup™ Final in an event like this where it is like being at the World Cup Finals.”
Forty eight riders entered the arena to compete in the 1.35m class on Wednesday. Matias Fernandes and Algeria took the lap of honor followed by Karri Rufer and Mar Tai for 2nd and Kristin Hardin and ARAN taking 3rd.
Matias Fernandez & Alegria, winners of the $5,000 1.35m class with Dale Harvey and Sara Nastri of West Palms Events. Photograph by West Palms Events
World Cup™ Week
October 4 – 8, 2017
Friday, October 6
$36,500 Murieta Inn, Spa & Restaurant 1.45M
4,5,6 & 7 Year Old Championship Round 2
Saturday, October 7
$100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Sacramento
– Presented by Lasher’s Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram
$10,000 Morning Star Sporthorses 1.40M
Sunday, October 8
$10,000 Junior/Adult Owner Grand Prix
– Presented by FarmVet
$25,000 Open Jumper Classic
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy top international equestrian competition in 2017. Stay up to date on all our exciting events and the 2017 show season by visiting our website and following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Lorna Lowrie for West Palms Events