The $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4 had an imposing field of 84 entries today, but it was Yann Candele (CAN) and Carlotta Singular La Magnifica, owned by Susan Grange, who were able to beat the strong contenders for victory. Today’s grand prix was the highlight class in the International Arena at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Beezie Madden (USA) and Cortes C, owned by Abigail Wexner finished second, while Laura Kraut (USA) and Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric were third.
Week four of the FTI WEF runs February 1-5, and is sponsored by Adequan. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be making two appearances at the FTI WEF this week. The first will be before the $80,000 Adequan Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, February 4, and again on Sunday, February 5 before the Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
This year’s Olympic Games course designer, Bob Ellis of Great Britain, set a course that would whittle down the 84 entries to 15 for the jump-off. There were seven double clear efforts. Candele noted, “I think he did unbelievable to get 15 clear. We saw a few jump-offs before with more clear and less starters. I think he managed it well. Nobody crashed anywhere, there were rails here and there. I think he did a magnificent job.”
Candele and “Carlotta” went 11th in the jump-off and brought the winning time down to 47.51 seconds. The earlier leading time was set by Beezie Madden and Cortes C in 47.81 seconds. Madden was also fourth on Simon, who went first in the jump-off and set a solid time in 48.15 seconds.
Candele said of his jump-off ride, “Actually I got lucky. In the beginning I was efficient and I was lucky to get a good turn to the double. The last line, I did one more stride than everybody else, so I could have lost there. I think it was the draw of luck. It just happened.”
Laura Kraut and Cedric jumped into third with a quick time of 47.90 seconds. Fifth place went to Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Let’s Fly, owned by Double H Farm, who crossed the timers in 48.66 seconds. Jeffrey Welles (USA) and Noel Love Gross’ Aries notched a clear round in 48.69 seconds for sixth place, while David McPherson (GBR) rode Chamberlain Z, owned by McPherson and Ellen Holtgers, to a seventh place clear round in 49.77 seconds.
Candele has been working with Carlotta since she was eight years old, with a plan from the beginning on preparing her for championships. “We’ve had her in development for a year and a half. The idea is to get on the Nations Cup team in Wellington and get on the Canadian national team for the Olympic Games,” he explained. “She’s been starting nicely and today is a good win.”
While the pair has won grand prix events in Canada, this is their first win together at the FTI WEF. Candele wants to make sure they continue this success throughout the circuit. “The key of the circuit is to be competitive and develop the horses, but mostly to get on the Nations Cup team,” he agreed. “This is a good opening but we still have to confirm and be consistent, be sure everything is running well.”
Candele described Carlotta Singular la Magnifica, a 2002 Hanoverian mare by Chasseur x Singular Joter, as “really careful.” He added, “She’s not too worried. She’s got a lot of blood and you have to control the balance. I got some help from Eric Lamaze on starting to figure her out, so today is a good step in the right direction.”
Final Results: $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 4
1. CARLOTTA SINGULAR LA MAGNIFICA, YANN CANDELE (CAN), 0/0/47.51
2. CORTES ‘C’, BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), 0/0/47.81
3. CEDRIC, LAURA KRAUT (USA), 0/0/47.90
4. SIMON, BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), 0/0/48.15
5. HH LET’S FLY, RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA), 0/0/48.66
6. ARIES, JEFFERY WELLES (USA), 0/0/48.69
7. CHAMBERLAIN Z, DAVID MCPHERSON (GBR), 0/0/49.77
8. URICO, MARIO DESLAURIERS (USA), 0/4/44.91
9. SANCHA LS, DANIEL BLUMAN (COL), 0/4/46.90
10. QUINTENDER, HENRIK GUNDERSEN (DEN), 0/4/51.23
11. KEC ALLIGATOR ALLEY, CIAN O’CONNOR (IRL), 0/4/54.97
12. QUICK STUDY, LAUREN HOUGH (USA), 0/8/47.44
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