Katherine Strauss Tops 64 in WEF $10,000 Artisan Farms U25 Welcome Stake

19f4741e-67e0-4ba7-9b99-b94f1baa66e9Katherine Strauss and All In. Photo © Sportfot, An Official Photographer of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2016 – The Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series got underway on Saturday with a win for Katherine Strauss in the $10,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Welcome Stake. Strauss, 17, and her own All In bested 64 entries in the one-round speed class, stopping the clock in 64.57 seconds.

Sima Morgello and Orientales jumped into second for Double S Farm, LLC in 66.14 seconds. Third was presented to Hayley Barnhill and Zephire in 69.48 seconds for Barnhill, LLC. Lucas Porter and Diamante Darco took fourth in 70.23 seconds for the Sleepy P Ranch, while Tina Di Landri capped the top five aboard Zelote VDL, owned by Highpoint Farm, LLC in 71.13 seconds.

Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series (AFU25GPS) returns to the Winter Equestrian Festival for its sixth season this year. Throughout the circuit, the series offers a total of $170,000 in prize money while showcasing top young talent in show jumping sport. Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the AFU25GPS is sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), giving many riders their first experience competing at the 1.45m level under FEI rules.

Strauss, a regular competitor in the Series at WEF, is currently approaching the end of her junior career with her sights set on grand prix competition.

“This series is such a great way to bridge the gap between the junior jumpers and the grand prix level,” she said. “I am really looking forward to competing in the U25 Series with All In for the rest of the circuit.”

All In has been the ride of Strauss for two years, and she characterizes him as a scopey jumper with a ground-covering stride.

“Today’s course was built to my advantage. He is so fast across the ground and that helped us make up some time in this big ring,” said Strauss.

Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series (AFU25GPS) returns to the Winter Equestrian Festival for its sixth season this year. Throughout the circuit, the series offers a total of $170,000 in prize money while showcasing top young talent in show jumping sport. Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the AFU25GPS is sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), giving many riders their first experience competing at the 1.45m level under FEI rules.

Strauss, a regular competitor in the Series at WEF, is currently approaching the end of her junior career with her sights set on grand prix competition.

“This series is such a great way to bridge the gap between the junior jumpers and the grand prix level,” she said. “I am really looking forward to competing in the U25 Series with All In for the rest of the circuit.”

aa377bde-7982-4f07-95f7-6958f8fff7c3Katherine Strauss and All In with Carlene Ziegler of Artisan Farms and ringmaster Christian Craig. Photo © Sportfot, An Official Photographer of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

All In has been the ride of Strauss for two years, and she characterizes him as a scopey jumper with a ground-covering stride.

“Today’s course was built to my advantage. He is so fast across the ground and that helped us make up some time in this big ring,” said Strauss.

Strauss admits that she and All In have developed a strong bond while competing in junior jumper and small grand prix classes together.

“He always does everything I ask of him,” she said. “He’s the love of my life.”

Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series competition continues on Sunday with the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/TuffRider.

Finals Results: $10,000 Artisan Farms U25 Welcome Stake

Finals Results: $10,000 Artisan Farms U25 Welcome Stake

1 ALL IN: 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Aachen x Indoctro
KATHERINE STRAUSS (USA), Katherine Strauss, LLC: 0/64.57

2 ORIENTALES: 2002 Selle Francais mare by Rox de la Touche
SIMA MORGELLO (USA), Double S Farm, LLC: 0/66.14

3 ZEPHIRE: 2004 Dutch Warmblood mare by Coriano x Animo
HAYLEY BARNHILL (USA), Barnhill, LLC: 0/69.48

4 DIAMONTE DARCO: 2005 Great Britain Sport Horse by Unbelievable Darco
LUCAS PORTER (USA), Sleepy P Ranch, LLC: 0/70.23

5 ZELOTE VDL: 2004 Dutch Warmblood stallion by Chin Chin x Libero H
TINA DI LANDRI (USA), Highpoint Farm, LLC: 0/71.13

6 FLECU: 2004 Swedish Warmblood gelding by Hip Hop x Flamingo
VIGGO BJORKLUND (SWE), Gyllebo Farm, LLC: 0/71.32

7 COLORLAND’S CHEYENNE: 2006 Hanoverian mare by Coupe de Couer x Landfriese II
JENNY RANKIN (IRL), Carl Handley: 0/73.18

8 HAMLET: 2007 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Cicero x Carthago
LUCY DESLAURIERS (USA), Lisa Delauriers: 0/73.67

9 LORO PIANA BALLYLECK ROYALE:
ALMA BJORKLUND (SWE), Alma Bjorklund: 0/74.21

10 QUICK PETITE FOLIE: 2004 Selle Francais gelding by Calvaro Z x Thoas du Theillet
THOMAS MCDERMOTT (AUS), Gut Einhaus, LLC: 0/75.15

11 CADENCE: 2001 gelding by Cardento x Irco Marco 662
JENNIFER GATES (USA), Jennifer Gates, LLC: 0/75.69

12 COOPER: 2004 Holsteiner gelding by Colman x Corrado I
NICOLE WALKER (CAN), Nicole Walker: 0/75.90

The Winter Equestrian Festival continues on January 27 with a week of CSI 3* competition sponsored by Adequan® and highlighted by the $130,000 Adequan® Grand Prix during “Saturday Night Lights” on January 30.

Please visit www.pbiec.com or call 561-793-5867  for more information on the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Source: Meg Banks/Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.