Green Cove Springs, FL – Kyle King of Del Mar, CA riding Finnete a 10-year-old Hanoverian mare for owner Robin Cox won the main event of week three, The Jacksonville Winter National Grand Prix presented by Glen Kernan. 25 competitors started the first round layout of course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio all angling for the $25,000 pay off.
D’Ambrosio said of tonight’s course, “it’s going to be somewhat sophisticated, not too big and not too wide. I’m asking them to be precise.” When looking over the list of horses competing, he smiled and commented, “It’s a straight forward layout, medium height-medium width. No plank or narrow jumps but I’m not going ultra careful. Something to test their ability to handle the horse and their ability to ride the horse.” With a total of 13 obstacles requiring 16 efforts in a 84 second time allowance the first round offered sweeping turns throughout and a fairly interesting choice to make from the triple combination, either the safe “scenic” route around or a daring sharp roll back off fence 5C into oxer fence 6. All played it safe.
Finnete and King’s first round time of 80.643 made them the fifth out of the first 13 to go clean. “I’d like to see 6 to 8 come back but wouldn’t have minded even more as long as they have a good ride out there.” D’Ambrosio commented. A skilled group of 11 returned for the second round of 8 jumps in an allowed time of 47 seconds. The hot spot of the second course was the 5A-B combination; a hard turn was needed directly off 5B to head down the last line of 12A and 13 to the timer. Kyle and Finnete’s time of 33.493 was just unbeatable tonight. His thoughts on the layouts, “Both courses were nice. Anthony always takes some jumps out of the second round so you can just attack it. He’s one of the best course designers.”
King said of the mare, “This is her 4th outing since we paired up. She came from a great rider in Mexico but it’s just taken a little while for us to connect. She’s got a lot of experience and great technique. “ He went on, “a good friend of mine bought her to help take me to that next level.” Then an admission from Kyle, “I’m just glad to be standing here. I hurt my back on Monday. I couldn’t even get off the floor the first night and today’s the first time I’ve been in the saddle.” Smiling broader, “I’m good! And I’ll be back next week too.”
Second place was David Jennings riding Costa Sur for owner Amy Lefferdink with a time of 34.567. Coming in third was owner-rider Tracy Magness riding Kilpatrick with a finishing time of 37.574 seconds. Fourth position went to Mary Lisa Nicholson-Leffler and Gerona 92 for owners Rolling Acres Farm with a time of 39.569. Finishing out the top five was rider-owner Mary Elizabeth Moore with a time of 39.589.
Next Saturday, January 28th the spotlight turns on the Hunters with a $25,000 Open Hunter Classic sponsored by OakLeaf Plantation. This special event is to kick off the 2006 Horses Helping Horses program, which debuted at the 2005 Atlanta Summer Series with proceeds going to the benefit Old Friends Equine Retirement Facility in Midway, Kentucky. The response and support from the Atlanta debut has sparked Classic Company president Bob Bell to include more special events to benefit the horses throughout this season.
A whole day of special happenings on Sunday, January 29th begin at 9:30AM with pony rides and petting zoo for the kids along with barn tours and even a free lunch for the kids provided by Winn Dixie until 1PM. Radio Disney will broadcast live from the event. Next at 11AM the annual Silent Auction benefiting the Jacksonville Zoo begins followed by the Outback Steakhouse luncheon at 11:30AM, tickets for the Outback lunch are available by calling the zoo at 904-757-4463 ext 200. The 1:00 hour will see the return of a spectator favorite, the Celebrity Ride featuring local TV, radio, politicians, and sports personalities mounting up with some of the talented horses of the show in a very different type of competition sure to entertain the crowds. The main event, the $35,000 Grand Prix of Jacksonville benefiting the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens starts at 2PM with a showcase of top ranked riders and horses trying to conquer course designer Allen Rheinheimer’s challenge for the big pay check.
Exhibitors and spectators still have the chance to win a 2006 Pontiac Torrant SUV valued at $25,000 generously contributed by the Coggin Automotive Group of Orange Park, Florida. A gift of $20 for one raffle ticket or $100 for six tickets could make you a winner. All proceeds will be donated to the Marine Corps Reserve Association Foundation. The drawing will be held on Saturday, February 4th during the Grand Prix.
The Jacksonville Winter Series continues until February 5th with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 9AM until about 5PM except for special events mentioned on Saturday evenings. Admission to the shows are free, a $5 donation is requested for special events, which in turn is given to the series’ various charities. Following the Jacksonville Winter Series the Sunshine Circuit continues with three weeks of USEF AA rated competitions in Pensacola, Florida at the Escambia Equestrian Center. This portion of the circuit will be dedicated to the communities of the Gulf Coast so devastated by Hurricane Katrina with special guests from Gulfport and fund raising events to further aid those in need.
For more information or results on the 2006 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 904-284-9492.
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