As the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, drew to a close, Artisan Farms, owned by Carlene and Andy Ziegler, was recognized for its tremendous achievements throughout the 12-week show jumping circuit.
Artisan Farms was the recipient of the Harrison Cup Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the owners whose horses won the most money in all open jumper classes throughout the Winter Equestrian Festival. In addition, Fine Lady 5, owned by Artisan Farms, was selected as the winner of the Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award. Both award presentations took place during the $500,000 CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix on Saturday evening, March 28.
“We are very proud to be the named the leading owner and to be presented with the Harrison Cup Trophy,” said Carlene Ziegler. “It is very gratifying to achieve the kind of results that we have had this season. In particular, Fine Lady certainly lived up to her name!”
With three wins in the WEF Challenge Cup Series, Fine Lady 5 and Eric Lamaze dominated the Thursday feature event.
“Fine Lady is a very special horse, and she was a very consistent every time out,” said Lamaze of Schomberg, ON. “Almost every time I used her, she won or was placed. She’s a small mare with a beautiful way of jumping so the style award is very fitting, considering the circuit she has had.”
In addition, Lamaze also won the first two WEF Challenge Cups of the season riding Rosana du Park, owned by Artisan Farms in partnership with his Torrey Pines Stable. At the end of 12 weeks of competition, Lamaze and Rosana du Park were named the 1.45m division circuit champions.
Lamaze was particularly pleased that the Ziegler family had been recognized for their role as owners in the sport, and applauded the Winter Equestrian Festival for establishing the Harrison Cup Perpetual Trophy to recognize the importance of the sport’s generous owners. In addition to Lamaze’s mounts, Carly Anthony, Tiffany Foster and Caitlin Ziegler showed Artisan Farms-owned horses to contribute to the $237,795 in total prize money won in the open jumper division.
“You would be hard-pressed to find a better owner anywhere in the world,” said the 2008 Olympic Champion of Carlene and Andy Ziegler. “They are so supportive of myself, Tiffany, Caitlin and Carly. Their support goes way beyond just providing us with great horses. They understand the sport, and they understand the difficult days. They love winning, as all owners do, but they are also very supportive when you don’t win.
“It is so important for the owners to be a part of it and understand the sport,” Lamaze continued. “It is a difficult sport and, when you understand it, it makes it easier to live through the hard days. They have taken the time to understand our sport and are quite knowledgeable. Andy has gained understanding through his own riding, and Carlene has spent a lot of time watching us all ride. We are so grateful for their support. They really do it for us, and that’s what makes it special.”
With the Winter Equestrian Festival having reached its conclusion, the next stop for Team Artisan will be the Global Champions Tour in Miami from April 2-4. Horses and riders will then move from Wellington, FL, to their summer base at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium.
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