Fans gathered at Thunderbird Show Park for Sunday’s $100,000 CSI***-W Facet Advisors World Cup Qualifier were treated to high flying action from Olympians, Nation’s Cup contenders and some of the fastest riders on the continent. In a field of thirty competitors, seven would advance to the jump off, with California’s Vinton Karrasch putting in the winning round aboard his new mount, Coral Reef Follow Me II.
International Designer, Alan Wade, set a challenging course that tested riders with a tricky triple combination and tall verticals to narrow the field.
The second round got underway with a fast ride by 2012 World Cup Champions, Rich Fellers and Flexible. Looking to set the pace, the pair had the speed, but clipped a rail to post 4 faults with a time of 44.55. Allyssa Hecht and her 11 year-old Holsteiner gelding got caught in the double, but settled in to come home at 53.66. Canada’s Ellicia Edgar was next into the ring, posting eight faults and a time of 49.26.