The first five-star competition of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) brought together top show jumpers to compete in the $391,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, February 9, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Clooney 51, owned by Luigi Baleri, captured the first big win of the circuit.
Martin Fuchs and Clooney 51. Photo © Sportfot
Out of 40 entries in the Grand Prix, 18 were clear over the course designed by Kelvin Bywater of Great Britain. It was a footrace in the jump-off, with nine finding the path to double clear, but it would come down to who took the biggest chances to see who would stand atop the first five-star podium of the 2019 circuit.
The trailblazer in the jump-off was Wilton Porter (USA) on Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Caletto Cabana. They set the clear round time at 34.97 seconds. Three horses later, Spencer Smith (USA) and Ashland Farms’ Theodore Manciais brought the leading time down to 34.89 seconds. Eight trips followed of either faults on course or conservative clear rounds, until Fuchs and Clooney 51 trotted into the ring.
Taking a gamble by leaving out a stride into the double combination and taking advantage of his horse’s giant stride, Fuchs and Clooney 51 made short work of the course, coming home in a time of 33.13 seconds.
“I knew my horse is in great shape. He has been great in the outdoor season over the past few months,” said Fuchs of the 13-year-old Westphalian gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Ferragamo. “He’s very experienced, so it was good for him to bring him straight out here under the lights. He still was a little surprised in the first round. He jumped very, very careful. I had to use more leg than usual.”
Click here to watch their winning jump-off ride!
Fuchs noted that the jump-off course design suited Clooney. “I knew I could make a nice turn from one to two, take all the risks for the double, and then just use his big stride which he has and trust in his jump and his carefulness,” he said. “I’m very happy with this win. Honestly, I was pretty sure Kent was going to be faster because we all know he is one of the fastest riders in this circuit. Obviously, I’m happy that for once he didn’t beat me and also gave the little Swiss guy a chance to win here in America.”
For Fuchs, the chance to compete outdoors, bring along his younger, inexperienced horses, and spend time with his girlfriend Paris Sellon for three months was reason enough to come to Wellington. He brought six horses to compete at WEF, including his star horse Clooney 51, who, as Fuchs noted, has been clear over 18 of their last 20 1.60m classes.
“So far, we are having a very good time,” he said with a smile.
Final Results: $391,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI 5*
1 CLOONEY 51: 2006 Westphalian gelding by Cornet Obolensky x Ferragamo
MARTIN FUCHS (SUI), Luigi Baleri: 0/0/33.13
2 GAZELLE: 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare by Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Kent Farrington & Robin Parsky: 0/0/33.57
3 ROCKSY MUSIC: 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding by ARS Vivendi x Diamond Serpent
RICHIE MOLONEY (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 0/0/34.42
4 FLOWER: 2005 Belgian Warmblood mare by Bon Ami x Randel Z CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Vanessa Mannix: 0/0/34.69
5 THEODORE MANCIAIS: 2007 Selle Français gelding by Kashmir van Schuttershof
SPENCER SMITH (USA), Ashland Farms: 0/0/34.89
6 QUINTIN: 2010 KWPN gelding by Quaprice Z x Emilion
DANIEL COYLE (IRL), Ariel Grange: 0/0/34.90
7 CALETTO CABANA: 2007 Holsteiner stallion by Cassini I x Capecanaveral
WILTON PORTER (USA), Sleepy P Ranch LLC: 0/0/34.97
8 RMF CADEAU DE MUZE: 2008 BWP stallion by Nabab de Reve x Almeo
WILLIAM WHITAKER (GBR), Rushy Marsh Farm LLC: 0/0/38.85
9 COOL HAND LUKE 4: 2007 Oldenburg gelding by Contendro I x Argentinus
MARKUS BEERBAUM (GER), Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC: 0/0/40.71
10 COACH: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Con Air x Corofino I
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/4/33.52
11 H5 CHAGANUS: 2008 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Carthago
EDUARDO MENEZES (BRA), H5 Stables: 0/4/34.01
12 CHALISCO: 2007 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Quidam de Revel
EMIL HALLUNDBAEK (DEN), Emil Hallundbaek: 0/4/34.28