January 19, 2014–Week two of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) concluded at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Sunday with a win for Jordan MacPherson (CAN) and Piccobello du val de Geer in the $34,000 Suncast? 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in Association with Guido Klatte, also kicked off with its first class of the circuit and a win for Victoria Colvin and Don Juan.
Sunday’s competition concluded week two of the 2014 FTI WEF, sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. Week three CSI 3* competition is sponsored by Fidelity Investments? and runs January 22-26. The FTI WEF, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, features 12 weeks of world-class competition through March 30, awarding $8 million in prize money.
Luc Musette of Belgium set a challenging track for Sunday’s 1.50m class that yielded just three clear rounds out of 44 entries. In the jump-off, Jordan MacPherson and JEM Stables Inc.’s Piccolbello du val de Geer were first to go and the only pair to jump the short course without fault. They were the winners with a clear round 41.65 seconds.
Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and David Gochman’s Attack II went next and had one rail down for four faults in 41.97 seconds to finish third. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Prof de la Roque had the time in 40.50 seconds, but also had a rail in the short course and finished on four faults to earn second place honors.
Following the class, Jordan MacPherson commented on the difficulty of the day’s course, noting that it rode much differently than it walked. “There were quite a few options and as people started going, it made it clear the plan that you had to follow,” MacPherson noted. “There were not as many options as you thought there would be. I thought it was technical, and it was a very good course that he set up. I know that I had a little bit of trouble, but it was a good course to ride a plan.”
“Coming back for the jump-off I knew that there were only three, and going first I knew that I needed to have a clear round to put a little bit of pressure on the other two, which seemed to work out today,” MacPherson added. “She was a very good mare. She was quick and careful.”
Piccobello du val de Geer is a 15-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare (Kannan x Skippy II) that MacPherson has had for almost four years. The pair won a 1.50m class at the PA National Horse Show this fall and finished fourth in the Canadian championships at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto as well.
“She has just been unbelievable,” MacPherson praised. “She has taught me so much and to be able to move up with a horse that you trust is really invaluable.”
Final Results: $34,000 Suncast? 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic
1. PICCOBELLO DU VAL DE GEER: 1999 Belgian Sport Horse mare by Kannan x Skippy II
JORDAN MACPHERSON (CAN), JEM Stables Inc: 0/0/41.65
2. PROF DE LA ROQUE: 2003 Selle Francais gelding by Kannan x Damiro B
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), Postage Stamp Farm LLC: 0/4/40.50
3. ATTACK II: 2000 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Grandeur x Bonheur
AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (GBR), David Gochman: 0/4/41.97
4. DIKTATOR VAN DE BOSLANDHOEVE: 2003 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Capital
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Spy Coast Farm LLC: 4/73.62
5. BLUE SKY VAN DE OLMENHOEVE: 2001 Belgian Warmblood gelding by Mr. Blue x Latano
JIMMY TORANO (USA), Turtle Lane Farm Inc: 4/74.44
6. B?CKMANNS LAZIO: 2000 Westphalian stallion by Lancer II x Cor de la Bryere
LAUREN HOUGH (USA), Karina Rotenberg: 4/74.82
7. AD AMIGO B: 2005 KWPN stallion by Tadmus x Hearbreaker
ALVARO DE MIRANDA (BRA), Victory Equestrian Sport BV & Alvaro de Miranda: 4/75.42
8. HH DONNATELLA: 2003 Belgian Warmblood mare by Toulon x Mr. Blue
QUENTIN JUDGE (USA), Double H Farm: 4/75.93
9. SANDOR DE LA POMME: 2002 SBS gelding by Vigo d’Arsouilles x Darco
CATHERINE TYREE (USA), Mary & Joe Tyree: 4/76.39
10. NOPUS DU GUE JOUBERT: 2001 Selle Francais gelding by Oberon Du Moulin x Elf III
HILARY SIMPSON (USA), Quiet Hill Farm: 4/76.67
11. QUATTRO QUEEN: 2004 Oldenburg mare by Quattro B x Landcapitol
JUDY GAROFALO TORRES (USA), Juan Torres: 4/76.69
12. CARLA TM: 2003 Holsteiner mare by Colman
SAMUEL PAROT (CHI), Samuel Parot: 4/77.30
