Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II Wrap-Up
RELEASE: June 25, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Jennifer Wood and Jenny Underwood
The $50,000 Wachovia Securities Grand Prix gave the 5,000 spectators at the Wachovia Showplace Spring Spectacular II a thrilling event. Eleven horses advanced to the jump-off, and it was 27-year-old Kate Reuter of Oconomowoc, WI, on her 12-year-old stallion On Line who were the fastest. New York City's Addison Phillips and Regina V finished second, while Charlie Jayne of Elgin, IL, on Cashmere was third.
The course was designed by Hector Loyola of Puerto Rico. There were 30 entries in the first round, and 11 had no faults to advance to the jump-off. Charlie Jayne, who is currently on the Olympics Short List for the U.S. Equestrian Team, qualified all four of his mounts for the second round.
The Grand Prix and horse show were sponsored by Wachovia Securities, and many of the company's employees had the chance to see some of the best grand prix action in the Midwest at the Lamplight Equestrian Center.
Jumper HighlightsThe highlight jumper class on Tuesday was the $5,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Speed Derby, sponsored by the Hope Family. In a twist of fate, the fastest rider in the class who took victory was Caitie Hope of Barrington, IL, on La Paz.
The speed derby had 22 entries. There were 11 clean rounds in the class and three eliminations. The riders competed over a multitude of interesting jumps, including natural brush, logs, a bank, and split rails. They were asked to jump out of the ring, down a grass hill, and back into the ring, and they also jumped a one stride combination that connected the two riding rings where the event was held. The speed derby was an unrated exhibition class held just for fun, and riders competed in it to do something new and exciting in the jumper ring. To add to the lively atmosphere, the horse show hosted a "Derby Day Party" sponsored by Our Day Farm and Lynn Jayne.
The Open Jumper division started out the schedule on Wednesday in the Grand Prix ring, and it was local professional Thomas Cerra of Wayne, IL, who sped to the win on Nicolette in the $1,500 1.30m Open Jumper class.
The winner of the $1,500 1.40m Open Jumper class was Phillips and Regina V, who were fastest in the jump-off over Patricia Griffith with Ulrika and Wilhelm Genn on Laredo.
The top riders competed in the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Stake, sponsored by Canterbury Farms on Thursday. Phillips and Cernunnus von Hof were the fastest in the jump-off for the victory.
Phillips just finished her first year at Harvard University, where horses took a backseat to school. She had not shown regularly since April, so the Welcome Stake was a good class to prepare for the Grand Prix held on Saturday.
The first class of Friday was the $1,500 WIHS Children's Jumper Classic, sponsored by Northern Pines and The Leelanau School. The winner was 12-year-old Haley Waters of Sparr, FL, on Rocky. In the WIHS Adult Jumper Classic, the last proved to be the best as the final entry, Katie Smith on Thursday, blazed through the course for the victory.
It was a great final day, and three big prize money classes were on the schedule. The winner of the $10,000 Wachovia Securities Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic was Alexandra Morefield of Elburn, IL, on Sir Hawkins. Waters and Rocky tallied their second big win of the week when they took the top prize in the $20,000 Tapestry Farms Children's/Adult Jumper Classic. The winner of the $10,000 Turtle Rock Farms High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic was Victoria Birdsall of Topsfield, MA, on Jerremy.
Hunter HighlightsThe $10,000 ASG Softwear Solutions/USJA International Hunter Derby presented by Dietrich Insurance featuring Walsh Harness & Saddlery, was won by New Yorker Patricia Griffith on North Country.
The course, designed by Skip Bailey, consisted of ten jumps in two rings. Obstacles included wooden coops, banks, and an in-and-out that riders jumped out o