Kim Farlinger and Conreu jumped to the top of the leaderboard in the $20,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix on Sunday morning to close out the ESP Labor Day show at PBIEC’s Equestrian Village. Farlinger, a native of Canada, piloted Sher-Al Farm Inc’s entry around the jump-off in 41.774 seconds. The only other pair to go double-clear was Rebecca Conway of Wellington, FL and Stakkatisa, owned by HBC Sport Horses, who finished the jump-off in 42.863 seconds. Juan Manuel Gallego of Wellington, FL claimed third place with Carolina Ramelli’s Chopard Z after a 42.485-second jump-off and with four faults.
The class was originally scheduled to take place on the Derby Field, but heavy rainfall Saturday night forced management to move the competition to the Van Kampen Covered Arena. A total of 31 entries contested the track designed by Jasen Shelley, with only four pairs returning for the jump-off. After her win, Farlinger gave her thoughts on the class: “I thought the course was really nice and really fair. I think it’s hard for a lot of the horses to come from the Derby Field where it’s so big and beautiful and they can gallop around, into the indoor.”
However, the change of scenery seemed to work in favor of Farlinger and her young mount as she explained, “Conreu is a green Grand Prix horse. This is only his third or fourth Grand Prix and his first win. He can get away from me in the open space, he’s a very scopey and careful horse, so I think it might have actually worked to my advantage to be contained in the indoor today. He did everything I wanted and jumped absolutely unbelievable. I’m super happy with him.”
When asked about show plans, Farlinger mentioned that, “Wellington is home now,” and her team didn’t want to travel anywhere with the threat of COVID. “ESP has done such a fantastic job making us feel safe to horse show. It’s really been great for us to stay close to home and have a super show to come to every week. We’re having a good time.”
Jumper Highlights
Sheer Levitin of Delray Beach, FL swept the podium in the $2,500 Equiline Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Classic on Sunday, capturing first place aboard her mount Love Scendix in 44.901 seconds. Levitin piloted Vitus K through the timers in 45.436 seconds to claim second place, while the yellow ribbon was awarded to Levitin’s Anis De La Piece after they completed the jump-off in 45.621 seconds.
The $2,500 Equiline Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic was championed by Maggie Alexander of Wellington, FL and her GGN Stauffenberg with their 46.816-second jump-off. Close behind with a time of 49.15 seconds was Aurora Rangel De Alba of Wellington, FL aboard Santiago Lambre’s Gloria. Sophia Studd of Wellington, FL and her entry Corlanda finished in third place after completing the jump-off in 50.035 seconds.
Over in the International Ring, the $250 CCTV Agent .85m Classic took place with Megan Fitzgerald of Washington DC and Goya VLS, owned by Darprin Enterprises LLC, clinching the blue ribbon after a 39.583-second jump-off. Elizabeth Polk of Davie, FL aboard her mount L’esprit crossed through the timers in 40.436 seconds to take home the red rosette, while Francesca Moore of Loxahatchee, FL and Esmeralda DMC, owned by Darren Chiacchia, finished in third after a 41.486-second jump-off.
The $1,500 Low Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic presented by French Horse Exports was bested by Jesus Alejandro Rigu of Wellington, FL and his mount Kascaya Z after finishing the jump-off in 33.675 seconds. Mille Staff of Pompano Beach, FL captured second place aboard Anne’s Little Cory with a jump-off time of 36.361 seconds. Brilexo was piloted to third place by owner Isabella Watson of Lake Worth, FL after a 39.355-second jump-off.
Earlier in the week, competition on the Derby Field opened up with the $5,000 Premier Equestrian 1.35m Open Stake. Wellington, FL’s Alberto Michan took home top honors aboard Fresco, owned by Golden Point Partners LLC, after finishing the jump-off in 47.484 seconds. Ronan McGuigan of Wellington, FL rode Ella Sandra G, owned by Blythe Masters, to second place after stopping the timers at 47.717 seconds. Kim Farlinger and Sher-Al Farm Inc’s Stanley Stone were awarded the yellow ribbon with eight faults and a 44.768-second jump-off.
On Friday, Hilary McNerney of Wellington, FL captured the blue ribbon in the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies Open Stake, riding her entry Chuck 27 around the jump-off course in 42.129 seconds. Diego Vivero of Wellington, FL and Casquero, owned by Silvana Cabral, stopped the timers at 44.01 seconds to clinch second place, while Juan Bancalari of Santo Domingo, DO took home third after finishing the jump-off in 45.69 seconds aboard his Cerati.
Hunter Highlights
On Friday afternoon, Amy Momrow of Wellington, FL championed the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Score At The Top aboard Steele Jordan, owned by Monty Kelly, after receiving a combined score of 179. Momrow also claimed the red ribbon with Monty Kelly’s Victorino Z after they received a final score of 178. Taking home third place with a combined score of 175 was Jennifer Bliss of Loxahatchee, FL and Face The Music, owned by Harris Hill Farm LLC.
The Derby saw a total 14 trips in the first round, with the top 12 returning for a handy round on the Derby Field Annex. At just six years old, Momrow’s winning mount Steele Jordan is proving himself to be a top contender in the hunter ring. “This was only his fourth derby,” commented Momrow. “He did two during the last WEF season and now the last two weeks here. I really think this is going to be his job moving forward, the international derbies. He’s got the most fantastic attitude, ride-ability and jump – he’s just the whole package.”
Originally from New York, Momrow decided to stay in Wellington this Summer with a small group of clients and horses, while the rest returned to the northeast. “This is my first summer season in Wellington and it’s been great so far, I can’t complain.” Momrow also explained the benefit to competing on the Derby Field Annex at PBIEC: “It’s so nice to get some mileage on the grass here. Some horses take to it better and it gives a little more pop to the jumps, but we just don’t see [the grass] that often so it’s definitely different for them. We’re utilizing it as much as we can and are really grateful.”
On Sunday, Lauren Gee of Valdosta, GA rode Team Weston LLC’s Tina Turner to victory in the $500 Pony Hunter Classic with a final score of 167. J.J. Torano of Wellington, FL received a combined score of 163 to take home second place aboard SomeKindaWonderful, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly. Gee returned to the winner’s circle, this time riding Eastside, owned by Aquitaine Equine, to claim the third-place score of 162.5.
The $1,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Hunter Classic was bested by Daryl Portela of Wellington, FL and Laskano, owned by Isalou, Inc., once they received a combined score of 171. Emily Ablin of Palm Beach, FL piloted Leeann Ablin’s Jasper to a final score of 161 to capture second, while Ashley Briggs of Loxahatche, FL took home third place aboard her mount Albano B.
Hunter Champions
Faith Schuttemeyer of Boca Raton, FL and Mr. Snuffleupagus, owned by Emily Stowe, clinched the champion ribbon in the Children’s Pony Hunter division presented by The Wanderers Club, while Hannah Randolph of Wellington, FL rode her Twinkle Toes to reserve.
The Children’s/Adult Amateur Hunter division presented by Resilinet Fitness was championed by Wellington, FL’s own Laura Bostwick and Guiness, owned by Juan Andres Rodriguez Silva. Elena Horowitz of Wellington, FL piloted Cakewalk, owned by Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, to reserve champion.
Emma Vandenhouten of Plantation, FL claimed victory in the Junior Hunter 3’6” division presented by #1 Education Place after her performance aboard her mount Meaningful, while Alexandra Mikhail of Wellington, NY took home the reserve champion ribbon aboard M Monroe.
The Low Child/Adult Hunter division presented by Pilates Rocks named Jennifer Prior of Wellington, FL champion with Le Chat Noir, owned by Catomine Farm. Allison Coleman of Wellington, FL claimed a reserve finish aboard Marigot Bay Farm, LLC’s Humor Me.
Logan Orlando of Wellington, FL and his entry Taschereau captured champion honors in the Modified Hunter division presented by Ag Maintenance, while Isabella Watson of Lake Worth, FL rode her Kahlua to a reserve victory.
The Medium Pony Hunter division presented Dover Saddlery was championed by Allison Coleman and her mount Radiance, while J.J. Torano took home the reserve ribbon aboard SomeKindaWonderful, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly.
Ki-Juan Minors of Wellington, FL bested the field in the USHJA Hunter 2’6”, 2’3” & 2’ division to claim the champion title aboard Elissa Pincus’ Conway Z, while Molly Sewell of Wellington, FL rode Willa, owned by Joann Dana, to reserve champion.
The ESP Summer Series, hosted at Equestrian Village, will return on September 10-13 with USEF “A” National & Jumper 4* competition and conclude on Sunday, September 27. No spectators or outside media are allowed on-site, but friends and family can view all classes via our SGL live stream HERE. Exhibitors, please remember to book your stalls on the grounds early as stabling is getting full.
To view the full results of the $20,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix, please click HERE.
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