On Sunday January 25th, 12 competitors competed in the first round of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) sponsored by Adequan®. After the jumping round, the top seven competitors were invited to come back for a flat phase. At the end of the two rounds, Asta Torokvei, from Toronto, Canada, was announced as the winner. Amy Cooper finished in second place and Brittani Director rounded out the top three.
Torokvei rode to victory on her mother’s horse Riverdale. Now 13, the Torokvei family has owned Riverdale since he was five years old. “My mom rides him during the week and takes him on trail rides. I get to steal him for one day a week and play with him in the equitation,” Torokvei explained.
“He [Riverdale] is called Teddy at home because he is a teddy bear. He is the easiest, most laid back horse we have!” Torokvei said enthusiastically.
Having taken the past two winters off, Torokvei was happy to be back in the equitation ring with Riverdale. “He [Riverdale] felt super. I tried to take a risk to the first jump, and he was totally game,” Torokvei commented about her horse’s performance.
While pleased with the way her horse went, Torokvei was also impressed by the course design. Torokvei said, “The course was nice today. It started off a little easy and by the end it gave some options for sharper inside turns.”
After starting the day winning the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal, Torokvei and Riverdale also went on to win both over fences classes in the Adult Equitation. Not only does Torokvei enjoy success in the equitation ring, she also shows two horses in the jumper divisions.
With three horses keeping her busy, Torokvei lives in Wellington full-time during the winter. Looking forward to finishing the WEF circuit, Torokvei will return home in April.
The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival continues with its fourth week of competition, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, on January 28-February 1, 2015. The week will feature the $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Fidelity Investments®, on Saturday, January 31. Other highlights include the $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 on Thursday, January 29, the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Team Event, presented by the McNerney Family, on Friday, January 30, at The Stadium at PBIEC, and the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50M Championship Classic on Sunday, February 1.
The $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Asheville Regional Airport, will also be held during week four on January 30-31, 2015. The special showcase will feature some of eventing’s top horses and riders competing for phenomenal prize money in the winter equestrian capital of the world.
For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.
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