It was a busy Friday and Saturday of jumping on the grass during the sixth week of competition on the The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour. With almost 40 entries in Friday’s $15,000 Grand Prix and a full field competing in the $2,000 Low Hunter Derby-2’/2’6″, Turf Tour 6 marked the most lively week yet for The Ridge and the first Hunter Derby Days competition of 2022. Turf Tour 7 will be held at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, featuring all levels of show jumping, almost $25,000 in prize money, and the only week The Ridge goes to this unique venue on Forest Hill Boulevard.
Alex Granato put in yet another uncatchable jump-off, this time with Disco Superfly, to win Friday’s $15,000 1.40M Turf Tour Grand Prix. Set on the beautiful fields of Polo West, the course set by Oscar Soberon featured multiple roll backs and ample challenge for even its Olympian riders. Beautiful additions to The Ridge’s set of jumps included blue and grey dolphins and a Valentine’s Day themed vertical complete with hearts and red poles from Wellington Jumps. Granato and Disco Superfly took an early in the class lead, jumping-off in 43.464 seconds. Despite serious efforts by some top riders including Beth Underhill, Quentin Judge, Ashlee Bond, Carly Anthony, and Abigail McArdle, Granato emerged victorious although the second and third place finishers were within one second of his time. Abigal McArdle and Victorio 5 jumped-off in 43.781, while Beth Underhill and Nikka vd Bisschop finished third with 44.445 seconds.
February 12-13 were set for the first Hunter Derby Days of 2022, and sunny weather greeted riders for Saturday’s $2,000 Low Hunter Derby. Originally slated as a $2,000 Mini Derby and $2,000 Low Hunter Derby, the classes were combined and the schedule also offered ticketed hunter warm ups. Imagine That and Julie Hogan came out on top, besting a field of 13 over the gorgeous grass field. Dotted with natural hunter obstacles courtesy of Wellington Jumps, The Ridge’s grass field was a picturesque backdrop for Hunter Derby competition. While the $5,000 3′-3’6″ and $5,000 Open Hunter Derby were set to kick off on Sunday, inclement weather forced their cancellation. The Ridge will host another weekend of Hunter Derbies on March 12-13, an amazing opportunity to jump on the grass with no association fees, $14,000 in prize money, and complimentary hospitality.
The 2022 Wellington Turf Tour features 12-weeks of jumper competition at all heights (.80M – 1.40M) and prize money classes including weekly $15,000 1.40M Grand Prix, $5,000 1.30M Rising Star Classics, and $3,000 1.30M Speed Stake, all held at beautiful venues in Wellington.
USEF Equitation Tuesday runs each Tuesday afternoon at The Ridge’s home farm (14415 Palm Beach Point Blvd) featuring pony equitation, adult equitation, junior equitation, Medal Maclay, and unrecognized hunter divisions.
The Turf Tour and its hunter/jumper/equitation events are a unique addition to Wellington’s winter circuit, offering riders top-tier competition, generous prize money, and an unparalleled atmosphere. Young horses and advancing riders are able to test their mettle in classes ranging from junior and amateur jumpers to the Grand Prix, and at a variety of venues reminiscent of the large European tours. Organized by US Olympic show jumper Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the vision that inspired the tour’s conception was to stage competitions on turf and natural surfaces away from the intensity of other show grounds.
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