Spencer Smith (USA), 23, guided a new and promising mount in Princeton Z to a win in the $50,000 Dutta Corp/Guido Klatte Grand Prix CSI2* to close week seven of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, on Sunday, February 23. Course designer Santiago Varela (ESP) welcomed 44 horses to the final event of the week with 15 advancing to the tie-breaking jump-off. Smith and Princeton Z, a nine-year-old Zangersheide stallion (President x Indoctro) owned by Torrey Pines Stable, rose to the top while promising a bright future for the young horse and a blooming partnership.
Spencer Smith and Princeton Z. Photo © Sportfot
Their time of 39.52 seconds bested Madison Goetzmann (USA) and her own Prestigious, who pocketed a time of 40.14 seconds to finish as the runner-up. Ireland’s David Blake and Don’t Touch du Bois, owned by Pine Hollow Farm, rounded out the top three in 41.04 seconds.
“Princeton came to us in the beginning of January, and I got along well with him right away,” said Smith, who has worked with Canadian Olympic champion Eric Lamaze at his Torrey Pines Stables for several years. “He jumped really well in the [Hermès] Under 25 team event earlier in the season, so we thought we’d step him up to this. He’s a nice horse. And I think he’ll do everything; he’ll jump all the big tracks.”
Smith candidly described Princeton Z, the former mount of French rider Mathieu Laveau, as “a little monster!”
“He just wants to win and wants to go faster,” said Smith. “He’s got a lot of fight.”
Of Varela’s jump-off track, Smith noted, “At this show, with this top level of riders, it has to be difficult, so it wouldn’t just become a total runner. It was a nice track, and I love having the two-star running along with the five-star. It’s an awesome division; it brings everyone into the FEI ranking system you’re able to step up.”
Spencer Smith and Princeton Z in their winning presentation with Guido Klatte and ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo © Sportfot
Just off the podium, Bliss Heers (USA) took fourth aboard Christos in 41.23 seconds for owner Bridgeside Farms LLC, while Spain’s Miguel Torres capped the top five in 41.84 seconds riding his own Chacendra.
Guido Klatte presented the awards on behalf of Dutta Corp, noting “As a shipping agent, we are proud to support the top level of show jumping competition. It’s rewarding to not only see horses that we transport competing here at WEF, but also to watch them be successful in the show ring.”
Final Results: $50,000 Dutta Corp/Guido Klatte Grand Prix CSI2*
1 PRINCETON Z: 2011 Zangersheide stallion by President x Indoctro
SPENCER SMITH (USA), Torrey Pines Stable: 0/0/39.52
2 PRESTIGIOUS: 2007 Westphalian gelding by Con Cento x Corofino
MADISON GOETZMANN (USA), Madison Goetzmann: 0/0/40.14
3 DON’T TOUCH DU BOIS: 2009 Belgian Sport Horse mare by Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro
DAVID BLAKE (USA), Pine Hollow Farm: 0/0/41.04
4 CHRISTOS: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Cristo 5 x Linaro
BLISS HEERS (USA), Bridgeside Farms LLC: 0/0/41.23
5 CHACENDRA: 2009 Mecklenburg mare by Chacco Blue
MIGUEL TORRES (ESP), Miguel Torres: 0/0/41.84
6 STERN DEI FOLLETTI: 2011 Holsteiner gelding by Toulon x Caspar
MARK KINSELLA (IRL), Morning Star Sporthorses LLC: 0/0/42.62
7 DACANTOS: 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding by Up to Date x Cassini I
LORCAN GALLAGHER (IRL), Trelawny Farm, LLC: 0/0/43.01
8 CHIC CHIC: 2011 Westphalian stallion by Comme Il Faut x Contendro I
STEPHEN MOORE (IRL), Vlock Show Stables LLC: 0/0/43.61
9 CONTHA STARA: 2012 Oldenburg mare by Conthargos x Quick Star
HAYLEY BARNHILL (USA), Alice Lawaetz: 0/0/44.38
10 CARLOS 691: 2009 Oldenburg gelding by Catoki x Carry Gold
JOHAN KACHELHOFFER (RSA), Johan Kachelhoffer: 0/4/40.36
11 COUNTRY BOY: 2009 Oldenburg stallion by Carry Best x Quirinus
TANNER KOROTKIN (USA), Sandalwood Farms: 0/4/42.64
12 KIRSCHWASSER SCF: 2010 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Amaretto d’Arco x Nebab de Reve
FREDDIE VAZQUEZ (PUR), G6 Holdings: 0/4/42.79