Forty-two rising stars of show jumping took center stage this afternoon to put forth their best effort against FEI Level III course designer Ben Townley’s (GBR) intricate $15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix tracks. The afternoon culminated with Alexanne Thibault (CAN) and her own Cidanos Z rising to the top of the leaderboard and galloping away with the victory.
Ben Townley’s first round track proved difficult for many and only 13 managed to navigate the first-round fault-free. Of the 13 clear first round rides, an even eight earned double clear honors.
The fastest jump-off time was secured by Alexanne Thibault (CAN) and her talented eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Cidane. Thibault and Cidanos Z found an effortless first round in 67.038 seconds to qualify for the immediate jump-off.
Thibault spoke about today’s elaborate tracks, “The course was nicely built. The lines rode pretty normal and there were quite a few single jumps that you had to ride off your eye. I think the width of the oxers surprised many horses, but Cidanos is very careful and has a decent amount of scope.”
The pair advanced straight to the jump-off at the sound of the tone, “I know this class is very competitive here and always has a lot of entries, so I knew I had to give it my all. I preferred taking the risk and going fast rather than being too conservative. Cidanos is very quick and careful off the ground, so I knew he would leave the fences up.”
“I think I made up the time to the double combination. When I was watching other competitors many of them slowed down to the combination, so I just let him go in his normal gallop and he backed himself off the jump to balance and that’s where I think I had the class,” told Thisbault.
The pair soared through the timers halting the clock at an uncatchable 30.563 seconds.
Thibault is hoping to make her debut under the lights on Saturday night with Cidano Z by the end of the Winter Spectacular show circuit, “The goal is to do the Saturday night Grand Prix by the end of circuit if he’s ready. I don’t want to push him too fast because he’s only eight, but he has been doing so well recently and proving to me that he’s ready to step up. Next, we will do some 1.40m and 1.45m classes and if all goes well, we will do the grand prix.”
Brandon Howard (USA) and Homeward Farm’s HF Costa Rica (Comte x Arielle) were just behind the winning pair. Howard and the 15-year-old Hanoverian mare delivered a textbook performance in the first round, leaving all rails up in 68.588 seconds. The pair jumped-off immediately finding a very efficient track in 31.203 seconds to slide into second place.
Third place honors were earned by Bryn Sadler (USA) and Showcase 81, LLC’s Cinven CR (Clearway x Raissa CR). Sadler and the 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding navigated a speedy first round in 65.524 seconds, well under the time allowed of 71 seconds. The pair went straight to the jump-off, finding each fence out of stride to stop the jump-off clock at 32.384 seconds.
$15,000 Buckeye Nutrition Futures Prix Results:
1. Cidanos Z, Alexanne Thibault (CAN), Alexanne Thibault: 0 | 0 | 30.563
2. HF Costa Rica, Brandon Howard (USA), Homeward Farms: 0 | 0 | 31.203
3. Cinven CR, Bryn Sadler (USA), Showcase 81, LLC: 0 | 0 | 32.384
4. Gerderieka II VI, Harold Chopping (CAN), Rein Family LLC: 0 | 0 | 32.761
5. Warmachine, Holly Shepherd (USA), Loretta Patterson: 0 | 0 | 33.271
6. Eric De La Chenee, Sean Jobin (CAN), Foxridge Stables: 0 | 0 | 33.932
7. Caliber W, Ivy Nyberg (USA), Ivy Nyberg: 0 | 0 | 35.085
8. Vivianne Blue PS, Charlotte Babbitt (USA), Charlotte Babbitt: 0 | 0 | 35.535
9. Co Pilot, Chasen Boggio (USA), Chasen Boggio: 0 | 4 | 32.564
10. Geronimo SCF, Harold Chopping (CAN), Diane Halpin: 0 | 4 | 32.760
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