It’s hard to find a Spruce Meadows vibe in Florida, but Turf Tour week 3 comes gloriously close. With Black Watch Farm as the idyllic backdrop, Wednesday’s exhibitors were greeted by brilliant expanses of perfect grass fields dotted with the brightly colored jumps of The Ridge, as well as a wide selection of classes for all levels of horse and rider. With generous money classes and fantastic sponsors like Horseflight, the Turf Tour continues to deliver an amazing show experience and much needed platform for development. Week 3’s competition continues Friday at Black Watch with heights from .80M-1.40M and as much as $18,000 in total prize money!
Wednesday’s $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classic class of 30 horse and rider combinations yielded 5 double clear efforts and an early, speedy jump-off time that could not be caught. Alex Matz and Jillz carved a path of athletic and time saving turns in their jump-off to stop the clock at 34.421, which would prove too quick to beat. Jillz’s sporty run was contested late in the day by Ryan Genn and VDL Gerinus T, who finished the jump-off in 35.892 for second. Kim Farlinger and Ibalius SMH galloped clear in the jump-off in 36.876 for third.
Newly added this year, The Ridge is hosting, in addition to the $15,000 Grand Prix and $5,000 Rising Star, a $3,000 1.30M Speed Stake each Friday morning. The Speed Stake will take place in Ring 1 before the Grand Prix from 8am-11am. Friday’s $15,000 1.40M Grand Prix will be set at approximately 11:30am and run through at least 4pm. Turf Tour Week 4 (January 27-29) returns to a favorite venue, the beautiful fields at Polo West, and January 30-31 at their home farm will be The Ridge’s first unrecognized Hunter Derby, with just under $17,500 total prize money!
For full results and schedules click here.
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