Asheville, NC –Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC riding Arriscraft Soleil for owner Angelstone Farms made a stellar run at the second week of the Biltmore Estate Summer Classic to win the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake sponsored by H and D Stables, Inc.
Course designer Allen Rheinheimer showed little mercy to the starting field of 22 in this afternoon’s preview of “things to come”. Preparing a challenging layout of 11 obstacles that required 12 big efforts on the competitor’s part. Along with three combinations, which included a pair of doubles- 5AB with 7 strides into 6AB, the course had a few tight rollbacks and some serious turns just in the first round with a generous time of 90 seconds. “Might as well get them ready for Saturday’s Grand Prix. Let them get a feel for the field and know it’s going to be a challenge.” Rheinheimer commented.
Vale took all three of his mounts clean in round one, “it was a really nice course and the footing is great. We’ve gotten just enough rain to keep the tracks riding perfect.”he said summing up his initial first rides. Arriscraft Soleil, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, had a clear time of 82.56 going into the jump off. “That #3 fence was a bit of a stickler for several of the horses, it’s rather square looking and big.” Aaron began when asked what were the hot spots on the layout, “and then the doubles at 5AB into 6AB felt long for being a vertical to vertical. I think that caught some by surprise too.”
10 of the starters returned for the jump off course of 5 obstacles that posed dilemmas of best strategy and gauging amount of speed especially with the second fence, a rollback off from a big oxer to skinny high vertical. Cutting the turn to sharp at optimum pace could be an easy 4 faults yet too wide out could cost precious time in trying to make the allowance time of 40 seconds. Known for his ability to make the impossible tight turns work at full speed Vale surprised competitors when his first two mounts dropped rails and opened a window of opportunity to them. However, third time was in fact the charm as Soleil went clear in a lightening fast time of 29.154 to cinch the victory.
Last week’s Welcome winner Ivan Zamora riding Portland for owner Armando Zamora finished 2nd with a clear jump off time of 31.540. Coming in 3rd was Paige Beal-Andros riding Fairway Farm’s Gelha’s Junior with a clean 31.725 (trained by winner Aaron Vale). Up and coming junior rider Hardin Towell rounded out the last two spots with new mount Cototaxi 2 finishing 4th clean in 33.464 and Eventual taking the 5th position in a clear time of 35.078.
Following the excitement in the Grand Prix ring a different jumping event took place on the grass field outside of the dining tent with the return of the Horseless Horse Show presented by Judy’s Tack Shop of Germantown, TN. A long-standing exhibitor favorite, the course of 6 custom made “little kid jumps” was opened up for course walking to the brave 90 competitors. Upon being paired off to create 45 different teams judges Jane Layback, Tissy Principe, and Becky Miles gave the signal for the competition to begin. After completing the over fence division (on left leads), all clear rounds returned for the under saddle portion and announcer Susie Kocher provided commentary on each pair. Claiming victory in both segments of competition was Kaylie Tomau and partner Kayce Curtis. At the presentation Classic Co president Bob Bell managed to regain his composure after too much laughter to comment, “I loved this class! Had to be the most hysterical event I’ve witnessed, especially the demo afterwards.” His reference was to the “special” exhibition following the official competition, by jumper course designer Allen Rheinheimer and Brownland Farm owner Mack Anterton. Highlights of this performance included Mack heading into the first jump only to chip and take down the rail with such grace that he laid on the ground as thunderous laughter broke out all around and the dramatic finish where Rheinheimer and Anterton collided with one another in the middle of the course. Judge Becky Miles commented through tears, “Needless to say it’s best there was no scoring involved here.” Next year’s heated competition is already in the works and “competitors are all ready slinging their boast of winning” finished Miles.
The Biltmore Estate Summer Classics continue through July 23rd with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday each week. Classes begin daily at 8AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is required to the Biltmore grounds and may be purchased at the gates. Each Saturday evening will host an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event. For more information or results on the Summer Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 828-225-6202.
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