Horse Shows by the Bay Series I Wrap-Up
RELEASE: July 23, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Phelps Media Group
The first week of Horse Shows by the Bay has come to an end, and the highlight event of the week brought hundreds of spectators to the Flintfields Horse Park. The winner of the $25,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix of Traverse City was 19-year-old Addison Phillips of New York City on Cernunnus von Hof.
The course was designed by Evi Friske of Canada, and it offered more than meets the eye. There were two technical lines set on the diagonals, including a triple combination with a lengthy two-stride to a comfortable one-stride that surprised many. Six horses were able to go clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off.
Phillips and the 11-year-old Cernunnus von Hof rode quickly and smoothly in the jump off, and despite a rub at the first fence, they made it with no faults and the fastest time of 38.813 seconds.
This was Phillips' and Cernunnus von Hof's first major Grand Prix win. Phillips has owned the 11-year-old gelding for a year, and they won the Welcome Stake last month in Chicago. Phillips won the $10,000 Welcome Stake this week on Thursday with Trezebees.
This was Phillips' first time competing at Horse Shows by the Bay and she has enjoyed the first week of competition, especially the enthusiastic crowd that was there to watch the Grand Prix. "There were a great number of spectators for the Grand Prix (today)," she said. "That really makes it fun. You don't see that necessarily at all horse shows.”
Jumper HighlightsThe highlight jumper class for the first day of competition on Wednesday was the $1,000 Level 6 Jumpers. The winner of the class was David Beisel and horse Irish Hunt, owned by Carlie Beisel of Greenwood, MO. David Beisel resides in Cincinnati, OH. Irish Hunt was only one of many that David rode in the class, but it was the one who came out on top.
Thursday's action in the expansive Team Elmer's Grand Prix ring was the $3,000 NAL Open Speed class. Many top names turned out for their chance at the generous prize money and first-place honors. The NAL Open Speed class ran off of Table II Sec 2.1, Level 7. There was no jump-off; the best first round was how the winner was determined. The course, designed by Canadian Eve Friske, was quick but interesting.
Steve Weiss, who resides in New York, was all smiles as he was named the winner and was awarded top honors. With two rides in the class on Laura Connolly's horses, his winning round was aboard Sil, owned by Laura Connolly of Rye, NY. "This grand prix ring is fantastic. I love riding in it. I was not here last year and I know the ring is new, and it reminds me a lot of the grand prix ring in Kentucky," commented Weiss. "The ring has a beautiful, beautiful setting, backdrop and amazing footing."
Friday's $10,000 Welcome Prix was an event that brought many patrons to the Team Elmer's Grand Prix ring thanks to Schreiber Corporation, who was the sponsor of the class. Patrice Schreiber was the driving force behind the sponsorship. The Welcome Prix course utilized much of the space in the heart-shaped ring. The well-designed course put eleven horses through to the jump-off.
With just two horses in the class, the winner was the talented Addison Phillips of New York, NY, aboard her 12-year-old chestnut mare Trezebees. With a first round time of just 78.825 seconds and a blazing jump-off time of 38.679, no one could catch her.
"This is our first time coming to Michigan, and we are extremely happy with it. The ring is great, we are really happy with the courses, the jumps are the perfect size, and it has been a great experience so far," stated Phillips. "My favorite part of the show has been the people behind it. Everyone has been super nice and they try so hard to keep the grounds looking nice, there is a ton of shade, the courses are nice and the jumps are pretty. They try so hard to make everyone feel important."
Saturday's feature class in the Tea