Day of Firsts for Top Jumper Competitors at Nilforushan Equisport Events National Fall Week I
Temecula, Calif. – Oct. 16, 2021 – It was a double feature in the Grand Prix Arena at Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National Fall Week I as athletes risked it all in both the $10,000 NEEd for Speed Derby, sponsored by ShowMD, and the $50,000 National Grand Prix, sponsored by 100X Equine. Eric Navet and Coronado Blue NF blazed to a lightning-fast victory in the NEEd for Speed Derby, while Jamie Taylor and Quatar took home their first ever Grand Prix victory at her hometown series.
Following a series of single-rail rounds, Taylor and Quatar, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by JT Equine LLC, took to the ring with determination. Having been bested by Rivetti aboard Quatar in numerous classes at Nilforushan Equisport Events’ series including the $40,000 Hygain National Grand Prix at Temecula Valley National I and the $25,000 Alliant Private Client National Grand Prix in 2020, the hometown professional took to the ring set on speed and speed alone. Having developed Quatar over the past two and a half years, Taylor knew he was capable of the footspeed required to oust Rivetti from the lead. Her guts and determination paid off as she tripped the timers with a time of 37.288 seconds, finally earning her victory gallop in her first-ever grand prix win with Quatar at her home show.
“This is my first grand prix victory here. Qatar has won a number of the Thursday speed classics but we have been second or third and have not been quite able to nail down a win in the grand prix so this is really exciting,” Taylor noted. “It is great the whole family is here it is a family experience and it makes a sweet win that much sweeter.”
Eric Navet and Coronado Blue NF Triumph in $10,000 NEEd for Speed Derby, sponsored by ShowMD
The first to try their hand at the winding course, Navet and his reliable speed partner, Coronado Blue NF, entered the ring with a plan in place. The duo, who have extensive experience on the international circuit in speed classes, opted to prioritize a strong rhythm and fast pace. Navet was the only rider to take none of the inside turns but shaved time on the clock by leaving out strides, trusting in the nine-year-old Holsteiner Warmblood gelding’s scope. The French rider and Signe Ostby’s mount cleared the course leaving all of the rails intact, setting the pace for the rest of the field at a blazing fast 76.262 seconds.
“Coronado Blue NF is a specialist in the speed classes. He wins a lot of classes everywhere I go,” Navet said of his mount. “He’s very useful for me to stay in the game and to stay competitive and to be able to go very fast because when we go to the big international shows, we need to be very competitive and super fast. Those levels of classes make both him and me keep practicing and we’re ready when we go to the high-level shows.”
Action-Packed Friday at Temecula Valley National Fall Week I Ends With Exciting Jumper Wins
Temecula, Calif. – Oct. 15, 2021 – Junior and amateur riders took their turn in the spotlight on Friday, October 15, at the Nilforushan Equisport Events Temecula Valley National Fall Week I, presented by Interactive Mortgage. Twenty-three competitors stepped up to challenge one another in an attempt to take home the victory in the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur Jumpers. In the end, junior Hailey Weber and Evolinus ultimately beat out the competition after a speedy clear effort. Molly Talla and Hannah were right on their heels to claim second place, while Laura Doering and Turin rounded out the top three.
Alexandre Azevedo Tops Inaugural $5,000 5 Bar, sponsored by Interactive Mortgage
Temecula, Calif. – Oct. 15, 2021 – At the conclusion of the day’s jumper classes in the Grand Prix Arena, the ring was transformed for the inaugural $5,000 5 Bar presented by Interactive Mortgage. A total of eight gutsy riders stepped up to the challenge in hopes of taking the lion’s share of the prize, as well as bragging rights. Five verticals were set two strides apart down the centerline of the ring. The class, comprised of three initial rounds, was first set starting at the 1.20m height and increased to 1.40m by the third round. Following the conclusion of the open-ended second phase where the height of the verticals were raised until only one horse-and-rider pair remained.
It was Alexandre Azevedo and Rosy Dahlstrom’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Jeri who prevailed in an astonishing feat as the only combination to clear the final round of fences maxing out at 1.80m. Ali Nilforushan’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Cocoliche of Greenhill Z, came in second place with Jamie Taylor in the irons. The duo attempted the 1.80m fence as it came down to the final two contenders, but the pair ultimately knocked a rail taking them out of contention for the first place podium. Kacie Doyle and Juan Carlos Martin Del Campo’s Paddington 92 tied for third place with Alexandra Biederman and North Peak Farms LLC’s 12-year-old Holsteiner mare, Quinka.
“He has a strong personality but is very nice and friendly,” Azevedo said of his mount, Jeri. “When he sees a jump he gets excited to do his job. I know he really likes what he does.”
Amateur Hunter Riders Take the Cake in Amateur-Owner 3’3″ & 3’6″ Hunters
Temecula, Calif. – Oct. 16, 2021 – Amateur-Owner Hunter riders kicked off the action-packed weekend at Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National Fall Series, with the first of two days of Amateur-Owner 3’3” & 3’6” Hunter division competition. Eager to secure top placings prior to the championship crowning on Sunday, the horse-and-rider combinations laid down competitive rounds, but it was ultimately Ashley Weiman and her young mount, Sweet Romance, who took the early lead in the combined division.
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