Frankie.jpgWellington, Florida — Canadian show jumping athlete Frankie Chesler-Ortiz of Orangeville, ON, placed second in the €300,000 ($400,000 US) CN WorldWide Florida Open Grand Prix, the richest Grand Prix event held in the United States, on March 17 in Wellington, Florida.

Following a qualifying event held two days earlier, 50 riders were eligible to compete in the €300,000 CN WorldWide Florida Open Grand Prix. Positioned 18th in the starting order, Chesler posted a clear round riding Picolien Zeldenrust, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, to ensure her spot among the top 15 riders that returned for round two. Having had the fastest time in the opening round, Chesler had the advantage of competing last in the second round. There, she again jumped clear to advance to a sudden-death jump-off with three of the biggest names in show jumping sport – Danielle Torano of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, and fellow Canadian Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON.

Torano was clear in a time of 37.48 seconds riding Vancouver D’Auvrey, a result that Lamaze was unable to better when he knocked down a rail for four faults with Hickstead. Ward took over the lead with a clear round in a time of 35.25 seconds riding his Athens Olympic partner, Sapphire. As the final challenger, Chesler managed to jump her third clear round of the day and crossed the timers in 37.32 seconds to finish in second position.

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