For Immediate Release
Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – March 26, 2022 – Competition for “Saturday Night Lights” during week 11, sponsored by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) was packed with action during the circuit’s penultimate week. While hunter riders had the opportunity to take center stage on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village over the weekend in both international and national derby events, show jumpers took to the Wellington International Arena to compete for the top prize in the $140,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Final. In a mad dash across the finish line, Paul O’Shea (IRL) and Chancelloress claimed the leading spot.
The night culminated with both an overall series champion as well as the final class winner. Spectators in the night’s crowd were treated to extra excitement as the new name of the venue, Wellington International, was revealed prior to the first horse on course. Course designer Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER) raised an impressive challenge to the field of 48 starters representing 17 nations, and only five of the original entries managed to earn a slot for the short track. The jump-off came down to a battle between the U.S. and Ireland as Spencer Smith (USA), Laura Kraut (USA), and Alex Matz (USA) took on countrymen Mark McAuley (IRL) and O’Shea.
With three to follow, McAuley was the first to produce a double-clear effort in a tidy time of 36.97 seconds aboard LT Competition’s 10-year-old CH mare O’Hara ELS (Ogano Sitte x Liandero). However, the taste of victory didn’t last quite as long as hoped when O’Shea immediately followed and shaved over a second off of McAuley’s effort in 35.51 seconds.
“I knew Alex would be fast, and that Laura was after me too,” explained O’Shea. “I didn’t get to see Mark go but he is always fast, so I just tried to do the best round that I could.”
O’Shea credited his mount with rising to the occasion for the class and has high hopes for the end of season with the Trelawny Farms’ 13-year-old Hanoverian mare (Chacco-Blue x Balou Du Rouet).
“Chancelloress felt in top form tonight, and everything was coming up easily,” he added. “She is going to do the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix next week, and I kept that in mind when I was riding tonight so I wouldn’t overdo it.”
Second place was secured by McAuley as he proved to be the only fault-free competitor alongside O’Shea.
“My horse is quite inexperienced at this level, and I think this is the most important class she has ever jumped,” described McAuley. “I wasn’t really planning on being competitive tonight. I just wanted to give her a bit of experience, so I was already incredibly proud of how she coped. She has come out of this circuit with a lot of experience, and tonight I felt like she was on the same page with me and fighting with me to stay clear.”
Due to the mare’s experience level and the difficulty of the track, McAuley’s plan for the jump-off mainly consisted of riding each individual fence.
“There were a few elements of the jump-off that were quite difficult, so I just decided I would try to jump the jumps instead of worrying about being fast,” concluded McAuley. “The blue double-combination was already difficult in the first round so I knew turning tighter back to it would be hard, and the last oxer was very delicate. I knew no matter what I did, the riders that were behind me would most likely be faster, so I am just happy to have left the jumps up.”
Alex Matz flew through the jump-off as the last competitor in the jump-off to acquire the final spot in the victory gallop. Matz and Cashew CR, owned by Dorothy Matz, looked as if they would overthrow O’Shea in the final moments but did not quite manage to clear the last oxer on course to accrue a four-fault score with their time of 34.77 seconds.
“He is an incredible horse, and he has been everything for me,” said Matz of the 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cassini II x Quinar). “He introduced me to doing the grand prix level, and he is an amazing fighter with a big heart. He doesn’t have all of the scope in the world, but he makes up for it with determination.”
For the 25-year-old, to be on the podium with the likes of McAuley and O’Shea is a special moment.
“I look up to both of these riders tremendously, and it is an honor to be competing against them,” stated Matz. “I have a lot to learn from them, but it is helpful when I get to see them in action.”
The Irish also took the overall victory of the CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic Series as Shane Sweetnam was named the leading rider through the entirety of the circuit. Despite never having worn the winning cooler, Sweetnam’s consistency and six top-five placings throughout the season with four different mounts was enough to earn the honors.
“This series produces an incredibly tough class every week, and the level of competition in these classes is set at a very high standard,” commented Sweetnam. “You need to have a good string of horses. This year I had an up-and-coming group of horses as well as some older ones, and it worked out well. While I did not win any, I was consistent at being towards the top of the class each week and that consistency is what ended up winning it overall.”
Final Results: $140,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50 Series Final
1. CHANCELLORESS: 2009 Hannoverian mare by Chacco-Blue x Balou Du Rouet
PAUL O’SHEA (IRL), Trelawny Farm, LLC: 0/0/35.51
2. O’HARA ELS: 2012 CH mare by Ogano Sitte x Liandero
MARK MCAULEY (IRL), LT Competition: 0/0/36.97
3. CASHEW CR: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Cassini II x Quinar
ALEX MATZ (USA), Dorothy Matz: 0/4/34.77
4. PICOBELLO FULL HOUSE TER LINDEN Z: 2010 Zangersheide gelding by Forever D’Arco Ter Linden x Cento
SPENCER SMITH (USA), Piccobello Horses: 0/4/35.18
5. CONFU: 2007 Holsteiner gelding by Contact Me x Cambridge 8
LAURA KRAUT (USA), St. Bride’s Farm: 0/4/36.15
6. LOOPING LUNA: 2014 Hannoverian mare by Lord Fauntleroy x Calido I
RICHARD VOGEL (GER), Horse Management GMBH: 1/76.33
7. NIKKA VD BISSCHOP: 2013 BWP mare by Emerol NOP x Nabab de Reve
BETH UNDERHILL (CAN), Rein Family LLC: 2/77.99
8. EMMYLOU: 2012 BE/SIES mare by Billy Mexico x Lupin Z
BERTRAM ALLEN (IRL), Bertram Allen: 4/72.42
9. UN DIAMANT DES FORETS: 2008 Selle Francais stallion by Diamant De Semilly x Papillon Rouge
JIM IFKO (CAN), Eventyre Farms: 4/73.19
10. H5 CHACCO-SAN: 2011 Hannoverian gelding by Chacco-Blue x Sandro Boy
CARLOS HANK GEURREIRO (MEX), H5 Sport Horses LLC: 4/73.73
11. ENANDA: 2009 KWPN mare by Nabab De Reve x Holland
LUCY DESLAURIERS (USA), Luja LLC: 4/73.75
12. EL CONDE: 2011 SBS gelding by Lord Piana Filou De Muze x Final Shot
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables, LLC: 4/73.81
Laura Chapot and Chandon Blue Can’t be Caught in $50,000 Beerbaum Stables Grand Prix CSI2*
Daytime competition on Saturday was highlighted by the $50,000 Beerbaum Stables Grand Prix CSI2*. After a thrilling jump-off, Laura Chapot (USA) and Chandon Blue were victorious.
Forty-five combinations advanced from the 89-strong field in Thursday’s qualifier to contest the challenging track set by Olaf Petersen Jr. A tight time allowed of 75 seconds had more than 10 riders pick up time faults. Ultimately, an impressive 15 duos persevered to jump through cleanly.
“My plan for the first round was just to keep him focused all the way through the course, because he tends to want to get a little bit running towards the end,” detailed Chapot. “In the last line coming away from home, I wasn’t sure I was going to quite make the turn to it. Fortunately, he’s fast enough and got his eye on the jump, and once he gets his eye on the jump, he’s good to go.”
Petersen Jr.’s jump-off test echoed elements of the first round, opening with two rollbacks, and later, a particularly tough turn off the left lead to a wide liverpool oxer. Riders also tried to slice across a vertical in the center of the ring to chase the time.
Conor O’Regan (IRL) led the way in the jump-off and turned in a neat, clear effort with Dynamite Ranch LLC’s Mendini DR in 36.95 seconds. Alison Robitaille (USA) then managed to shave off a few tenths of a second, crossing the timers in 36.41 seconds with Alison Firestone LLC’ Oakingham Lira. Eighth to go in round two was Chapot and Chandon Blue who gave everything and then some, slicing and dicing, to finish in 35.42 seconds. Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Naomi van het Keizershof, owned by Stone Hill Farm, came very close, but ended up in second place in 35.46 seconds. Robitaille completed the all-female podium for third, and O’Regan finished in fourth.
“It wasn’t really my favorite jump off for him, because it was very twisty-turny, especially with the inside turn to the third jump,” admitted Chapot. “Fortunately, I was late enough in the order that it became obvious that that turn was absolutely necessary to win. I tried to just take my time and not let him get too strong to that point.”
She continued, “I kind of had to rein back my inner desire to go faster and just trust that he’s such a quick horse. I know if I can keep him thinking and looking, he carries a lot of speed naturally, so more often than not, he’ll finish up in the top group.”
Chandon Blue, an Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Landcapitol, has had a tremendous season. In addition to this win, he also topped the $50,000 Marshall & Sterling/Great American Insurance Group National Grand Prix, held under the lights during week 2. As the end of the circuit nears, Chapot could not be more pleased with her mount.
“He felt fantastic this whole week. He was really rideable and just so into it,” she noted. “I think he’s actually just coming up to his high point. He’s started to finally get relaxed in the ring and get down to business, so I’m feeling like we’re really prepared for the rest of the year.”
At 17-years-young, Chandon Blue’s leading personality and enthusiasm seems to be what is helping him turn back the clock.
“In the schooling area, he bucks and plays after the jump. You can tell he really enjoys the job and really understands when he does it well,” Chapot expressed. “We have to disregard the number on his passport a little bit and just keep looking to the horse for him to tell us what he wants to do or not. We always want to be a little cautious with him, but for now he comes out every time and wants to go, so he hasn’t shown us he wants to slow down just yet.”
For their win today, Chapot was awarded with The Champion Equine Insurance Jumper Style Award by Laura Fetterman.
Final Results: $50,000 Beerbaum Stables 1.45m Grand Prix CSI2*
1. CHANDON BLUE: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Chacco-Blue x Landcapitol
LAURA CHAPOT (USA), Laura & Mary Chapot: 0/0/35.42
2. NAOMI VAN HET KEIZERSHOF: 2013 Belgian Warmbood mare by Cardento x For Pleasure
JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN (USA), Stone Hill Farm: 0/0/35.46
3. OAKINGHAM LIRA: 2013 Anglo European mare
ALISON ROBITAILLE (USA), Alison Firestone LLC: 0/0/36.41
4. MENDINI DR: 2012 Belgian Warmblood mare by Hunter’s Scendix x Cassini I
CONOR O’REGAN (IRL), Dynomite Ranch LLC: 0/0/36.95
5 .GARANT: 2011 KWPN gelding by Warrant x Verdi TN
CALLIE SCHOTT (USA), Southern Arches LLC: 0/0/38.01
6. DAMZELLE STE HERMELLE: 2013 Selle Français mare by Upercut Kervec x Paladin des Ifs
LACEY GILBERTSON (USA), Seabrook LLC: 0/0/38.63
7. EVITA: 2009 KWPN mare by Otangelo x Cash
LEXI RAY (CAN), Lexi Ray: 0/0/41.75
8. ATHLETIX HERO Z: 2012 Zangersheide gelding by Aganix du Seigneur
SIMON MCCARTHY (IRL), Dermott Lennon: 0/4/34.46
9. ILEX: 2013 KWPN gelding by Baltic VDL x Chin Chin
FABIO LEIVAS DA COSTA (BRA), Bonne Chance Farm LLC: 0/4/36.06
10.NINJA JW VAN DE MOERHOEVE: 2013 Belgian Warmblood mare by Elvis ter Putte x Kashmir van Schuttershof
SLOANE COLES (USA), The Ninja Group: 0/4/36.28
11. MAESTRO VAN HET BINNENVELD: 2012 Belgian Warmbood stallion by Hunter’s Scendix x Conan Z
WESLEY NEWLANDS (CAN), Weslands Farms: 0/4/37.43
12. KIRSCHWASSER SCF: 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Amaretto D Arco x Nabab de Reve
FREDDIE VAZQUEZ (PRI), Freddie Vazquez & G6 Holdings: 0/4/38.15
Jimmy Torano and Laskano Can’t Be Beat in $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
As top hunter riders took their final turn on the turf at Equestrian Village, Jimmy Torano once again led the lap of honor across the grass as he claimed yet another victory aboard Isalou Inc.’s Laskano. Thirty of the country’s best hunter riders donned their shadbellies astride perfectly manicured athletes for the $50,000 USHJA International Derby. The competition was down to the wire but ultimately, as the pair have done repeatedly throughout the WEF season, Jimmy Torano and Laskano emerged at the top of the elite field. Torano and his talented mount held one of the top 12 coveted spots from the start and returned as one of the final few pairings to contest Ken Krome’s handy course.
Looking on to determine the class winner were Bob Crandall and Ken Krome from the Panel One judges box and Rob Bielefeld with Melissa Bark for Panel Two. Krome designed a handy phase worthy of its opponents that included multiple rollbacks, a trot fence, and a two-stride combination in a bending line to a bounce. Competitors could earn four additional points for high options and were rewarded with extra points for handiness.
The top 12 returned in reverse order and after returning in the tenth-place position, Hannah Isop put the pressure on the remaining riders when she and Red Ryder, an 18-year-old Selle Francais gelding, scored a total of 210 for their efforts in the handy. The massive score catapulted Isop into the lead and put the pressure on Torano to display another flawless effort.
“I really had the advantage of coming in with the pressure off of me today since we were so low in the order,” said Isop. “I just went in and decided to have some fun, but he was jumping out of his skin and turning as tight as he could have.”
Torano was not going down without a fight however, and he gave it his all with the 10-year-old Westphalian gelding to earn another incredible score over the 200-mark with a total of 206 points from the respective judges. The round once again led the field, and Torano piloted Laskano to an overall score of 393 points.
“I had seen Hannah’s round and knew it was going to be hard to top, but I didn’t know what some of the other competitors that were ranked higher had gotten,” explained Torano. “My plan was then just to ride the track I had originally decided on and to not let up the pressure anywhere. I could have easily lost the class after Hannah so I pulled out all of the stops and took risks everywhere I could.”
Torano credits a large amount of his success this season to the long-term partnership he has produced with the gelding.
“Bottom line, he is just a good horse,” stated Torano. “I can always count on him, and I know him like the back of my hand. He followed me the entire way from start to finish today, and he didn’t have one lead change the entire course. If I think left, he goes left; we know each other that well.”
Kelley Farmer took the yellow ribbon honors aboard a horse that is competing for the first time in the U.S.
“My horse is a bit green, and yesterday was only his first derby experience ever,” described Farmer of Larry Glefke’s seven-year-old Warmblood gelding. “I didn’t know what to expect, but he’s a beautiful jumper and incredibly brave. I wanted to be as handy as I could, and for his second horse show I was pretty proud of him. He has a beautiful style, and I knew he could go around nicely today.”
Final Results: $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
Horse, Rider, Owner
Round 1 Total | Round 2 Total | Overall Score
Laskano, Jimmy Torano, Isalou Inc.
187.00 | 206.00 | 393.00
Red Ryder, Hannah Isop, Tracy Freels
174.25 | 210.00 | 384.25
Story To Tell, Kelley Farmer, Larry Glefke
186.00 | 187.50 | 373.50
Meaninful, Kelley Farmer, Emma Vandenhouten
176.50 | 196.00 | 372.50
Bacchus, Michael Britt-Leon, Kelly Sims
182.25 | 188.00 | 370.25
Calisto, Greg Crolick, Jon Cotton
173.00 | 195.00 | 368.00
Unbelievable, Jacob Pope, Forget Me Not Farm
181.00 | 187.00 | 368.00
Ocean Road, Ariana Marnell, Marnell sport Horses
179.00 | 180.00 | 359.00
Copernicus K, Tiffany Morrissey, Dr. Kathryn Withers
177.00 | 180.00 | 357.00
Cascartini, Havens Schatt, Ken and Amy Wexler LLC
170.00 | 181.00 | 351.00
Milagro, John French, Kent Farrington LLC
185.50 | 148.00 | 333.50
Gabriel, Victoria Colvin, J T Farm
181.75 | 98.00 | 279.75
Week 11 comes to an exciting conclusion Sunday, March 26, with the $216,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission Grand Prix CSI4*, while “Pony Island” sees champions crowned in multiple divisions, including Ring 12’s first class, the Large Pony Hunters.