Hidden Creek Tosca, Ariano and Chocolate Martini Named Champions at the Young Jumper Championships
RELEASE: September 30, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Chris Stafford
The top 15 qualifiers after two rounds in the five- to eight-year-old classes found the competition tough at the Young Jumper Championships (YJC) as they advanced to the finals at the Midwestern League Finals at the Kentucky National Horse Show in Lexington, KY, on September 26, 2008. Clear rounds were at a premium over Conrad Homfeld's course in the Kentucky Horse Park with only two horses reaching a tight jump-off in the seven- to eight-year-old division as Hidden Creek Tosca got the better of RGC Farm's Uceko by less than a second.
Five-Year-OldsFour horses came through the two preliminary rounds in the five-year-old division on double clear's but only Audrey Samara's Ariano produced a fault-free performance over three rounds to take the blue ribbon and their share of the $10,000 purse. German-born Wilhelm Genn steered the Hessen-bred gelding (Acorado x Zackia, by Zeus) to a comfortable win. "This means a lot to me," said Genn. "Being from Germany, that's what we do to bring on young horses, so I'm happy when we can. We have brought other winners through this system and we train all year to bring them along."
Genn won the seven- to eight-year-old class in 2006 aboard Chantal, who has subsequently won 14 grand prix and competed in his first World Cup qualifier. He also piloted Cohiba to win the five-year-old class in 2006 and was second in the six-year-old class in 2007 before being sold earlier this week. "I'm looking forward to bringing on more horses in the future," added Genn.
Matt Yeterian's American-bred Zero Point (Hilltop Reno x Caraibe du Moulin, by Galoubet A) carried four faults to the final round and finished the competition on a clear round to place them second in the hands of Maggie Jayne, who was delighted with the gelding. "It was a great experience for my horse," she commented. Zero Point was bred by Candy Tribble and the Windsor Show Stables, and is out of Christine Tribble McCrea's grand prix winning mare Caraibe du Moulin.
Six-Year-OldsIn the six-year-old division it came down to a jump-off between the four faulters to decide who would win the biggest share of the $15,000 prize money. Three horses returned to battle it out with Hidden Lane Farm's Dutch Warmblood gelding Chocolate Martini edging out Windy Hill Farm's Capriato on the only clear round. David Beisel, winner of the six-year-old class in 2007 aboard Clarissa Z, opted for a safe and slow clear on Cindy Phibbs' gelding (Cantos x Irola, by Larome) to beat the Belgian Warmblood gelding Capriato (Nabab de Reve x Scarlett, by Heartbreaker), who pulled two rails with Angie Temelini. He had the fastest time of the three horses in the jump-off, but finished second ahead of Andy Barone's American Holsteiner gelding Luxius II (Luganda x Nanetta, by Canaletto S) ridden by Charlie Jayne.
Beisel was quick to recognize his owner, "I'm so thankful to Cindy," was the first thing he said after his win. "We've been doing this all summer long so it's fun to see it get better," he added.
Phibbs of Ann Arbor, MI, returned to the Kentucky Horse Park with Chocolate Martini, whom she partnered as a five-year-old at the 2007 YJC League Finals and schools him at home. "I've always had Thoroughbreds," said Phibbs, "but I thought for resale I should try Warmbloods and I've had him two years now. He's a very honest horse, and for me it's fun to have a chance of some prize money."
For his part, Beisel is already looking for another chance at riding in the finals. "I think the Young Jumper Championships is a fantastic system. I'm trying to find a four-year-old now that I can bring here next year," he commented.
Seven- and Eight-Year-OldsHidden Creek Farm's Dutch Warmblood mare Hidden Creek Tosca (Numero Uno x Gerolia, by Zortin) maintained her overnight lead despite a last minute challenge in a two horse jump-off when Margie Engle held off Kent Farr