Wayne, Ill. – July 31, 2018 – The second week of the 2018 Chicago Festival of the Horse kicked off at the Lamplight Equestrian Center early Tuesday morning, bringing with it the excitement from the previous week. In the Grand Prix Arena, Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple set the tone for the week with a speedy victory in the Open 1.40m Jumpers, going double clear to surpass the competition.
Michael Dorman and Valinski S, owned by Wyndmont Inc., initially set the time to beat in the class, tackling their first round in a clear 67.518 seconds. They then moved on to their jump-off round, also finishing clear and setting a time to beat of 31.992 seconds.
Fenney took to the ring with MTM Apple, owned by MTM Farm, determined to ride timely and fault-free in order to overcome Dorman on the leaderboard. The pair navigated the course designed by Leopoldo Palacias in 68.172 seconds. Returning for their jump-off round, Fenney and MTM Apple sped through the challenging course, leaving all the rails up and crossing the finish line in 30.462 seconds to capture the top slot.
Fenney began her partnership with MTM Apple just one month ago, and has been spending that time getting to know the 7-year-old mare in and out of the show ring. Still somewhat green, Fenney has been impressed with her ability to perform at such a high level. Just last week in Equifest I, she rode the mare in the competitive $50,000 Prix de Lamplight, and explained that she will likely enter the class again this weekend.
Dorman and Valinski maintained their placing just below Fenney and MTM Apple to take home the second place ribbon. Holly Shepherd and Loretta Patterson’s Manchester rounded out the top three, completing a speedy jump-off round with just one rail down.
Competition at the second week of Equifest will resume Wednesday, August 1, with the Training 1.15m Jumpers commencing the morning. Still to come this week is the $50,000 Buck Brothers John Deere Grand Prix, held Saturday afternoon, and the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Bull Run Equestrian Center, scheduled for Sunday morning.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Tracey Fenney – Open 1.40m Jumpers winner
On MTM Apple:
“Apple is fairly new — We’ve had her about a month. We’re just trying to get to know her. She’s 7 years old. We just did the Grand Prix last week, and we’ll probably do it again this week. She started out really good and then got a little green through it.”
On the class:
“She’s very comfortable at that height for her age. She was great today. She did all of the good turns, left out strides and everything, so I was happy with her.”
On Lamplight Equestrian Center:
“We love it here! They do a great job. The place is beautiful, they do such a nice job and the jumps are beautiful to match it!”
Tracy Fenney and MTM Outbid Hold Early Lead in Green 3’9” Hunter at Equifest II
Equifest II kicked off at the Lamplight Equestrian Center Tuesday with World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week. The WCHR program was founded in 1992 by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the hunter rider. In the Green 3’9” Hunter division, Tracy Fenney and MTM Outbid are holding an early lead during this year’s WCHR week at Equifest II.
For their first over fences round, Fenney and MTM Outbid received a score of 88, besting the field of riders in the class to earn the first place. In the second over fences round, the pair secured the second place ribbon with a score of 80, later riding to another first place finish under saddle to take the lead in the division.
Fenney has been with the 7-year-old Warmblood gelding for three years. Most recently, the pair finished in third place in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the fourth week of the Tryon Summer Series. MTM Outbid has been out of the show ring for about a month since then, but he did not miss a beat during Tuesday afternoon’s Green 3’9” Hunter division.
Caroline Weeden and With Honors, owned by Corporate Way, LLC., follow close behind Fenney and MTM Outbid, earning a second place in the first over fences round with a score of 82 and a first place in the second round with a score of 81. The Green 3’9” Hunter division will crown its champion and reserve champion Wednesday after two more over fences rounds, including the handy.
As a part of WCHR week, Equifest II will feature the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Bull Run Equestrian Center, set to take place in the Grand Prix Arena Sunday, August 5.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Tracy Fenney – Green 3’9” Hunter class leader
On MTM Outbid:
“I think the last thing I did with him is the derby in Tryon, so he’s had probably a month off. We did the 3’9’’ this week in order to prepare for the derby on Sunday. He was great, I haven’t even had him in the ring and he just walks right in and does his thing!”
On showing at Lamplight:
“The place is beautiful, they do such a nice job and the jumps are beautiful to match it! We love it here! It’s great for where our goals are, obviously the Pre-Green Incentive and Derby Finals in a couple of weeks. We work backwards from our goal for each individual horse, so we showed all our Pre-Green horses today and they all went really nice, as well. Hopefully we’re reaching our goal to have them prepared at Derby Finals and the Pre-Green Incentive!”
