The stars rose in the daylight over the beautiful fields of The Ridge at Wellington’s home farm, where February 6th’s competition was highlighted by the $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classic. Ireland’s Willie Tynan and KEC City Limits (KEC Maximum Joe x Aldatus Z) proved untouchable, putting in a time of 24.899 to best more than 10 double clear efforts in the class of 32. Christoph Schroeder and Atlanta finished second with a time of 25.497, while Paige Coles and Cortina rounded out the top three with a 26.758.
Photo by Equinium
Tynan, who has been victorious in both the Turf Tour Grand Prix and had top finishes in the Rising Star in 2018, held nothing back in his jump off round over the course designed by Leopoldo Palacios. The 10-year-old Westphalian gelding owned by Red Barn Farm, LLC has been a top mount for Tynan for the past few years, and Tynan has been an active competitor for Emerald Isle, including top multiple top finishes at the Grand Prix level. His other mount, the KWPN mare Dominique, finished double clear and 7th in the Rising Star.
Rising Star competitors also have an added prize to vie for during the Wednesday class: the points leader (not prize money leader) following the final Rising Star Classic competition during the last Turf Tour in March will receive a new golf cart compliments of Iron Horse Transit!
Friday’s $15,000 1.40M Turf Tour Grand Prix promises more exciting competition on the grass; the Prix begins at 11:30am, while 1.20-1.25M classes begin at 8am and full jumper divisions from the .80M-1.20M will run in The Ridge’s sand arena all day, while breakfast, lunch, and refreshments are provided to all attendees throughout the show.
Check out more photos from the class below!
Go Jumping!