Wellington, FL – December 11, 2022 – The ESP Year End Awards Show at Wellington International came to a close on Sunday after a week of show jumping competition. The $25,000 #1 Education Place Grand Prix took place in the International Arena with 31 riders fighting for the top spot, which was ultimately claimed by the USA’s Brian Moggre and Claire McKean’s Oh My Star Van Strytem as the most efficient jump-off challengers.
“My best friend of nine years owns him [Oh My Star Van Strytem], and I took the rider over about a month ago. He’s a great horse; I think he’s going to develop very nicely. In the few shows I’ve taken him to, he has really outdone himself,” Moggre shared of the eight-year-old chestnut gelding.
The international field of entries in the $25,000 #1 Education Place Grand Prix represented nine nations including the United States, Ireland, Belgium, Brazil, Australia, Chile, Venezuela, Great Britain, and Colombia. For the first round of riding, course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) crafted a track of 13 efforts, which tested challengers throughout the contest. At the end of the first round, just three horse-and-rider combinations had managed to clear the track within the time allowed.
“I thought the first round was technical enough for a National Grand Prix,” commented Moggre. “It asked the right questions but wasn’t too daunting for any of the horses. “Going into today, I just wanted to put in some solid rounds for this horse and go clear. He was super in the first round, just under the time allowed, and then in the jump-off I didn’t really let the cat out of the bag because he’s just eight and still needs more experience. Today, with how he performed, I couldn’t be happier!”
First to tackle the shortened jump-off course, Francis Derwin Jr. (IRL) and Intuitive once again served as the pathfinders but lowered a rail at the fifth obstacle and incurred four faults against them. Moggre and Oh My Star Van Strytem were the next to challenge the track and took the lead after placing a clear round in 42.199 seconds. Though one pair of competitors remained, they could not overtake the time set by the American rider, signaling victory for Moggre and Oh My Star Van Strytem.
On his plans for the rest of December, Moggre shared,“For this horse, he will have a little bit of a vacation until season starts. I go to Fort Worth next week with another horse of mine for the World Cup there.” He continued, “I’m looking forward to getting my string ready to come out strong this [WEF] season. I think the night classes at WEF are such a fantastic experience for both riders and horses, it really makes the classes feel special.”
As the groom of Oh My Star Van Strytem, Lesley Leeman was awarded the Schneider’s Groom Award following the Grand Prix. As part of the recognition, Leeman was presented with a bag of high-quality grooming supplies courtesy of Schneider’s.
For the full results of the $25,000 #1 Education Place Grand Prix, please click HERE.
Friday featured the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Jumper Stake with an opening field of 43 riders testing the first round in the International Arena. The first round consisted of twelve obstacles, which was followed by an immediate jump-off of seven obstacles for the pairs that cleared the first track, 16 pairs advanced to the jump-off. Ryan Genn (USA) and VDL Gerinus T, owned by Wilhelm Genn, took the win with a double-clear round and a jump-off time of 39.337 seconds. Following Genn was Wilton Porter (USA) and his Vigakata with a double-clear time of 41.201 seconds while Michael Murphy (USA) claimed the third spot aboard Harvester, owned by Esperanza Imports LLC, with a double-clear time of 42.318 seconds.
The $5,000 Vita Flex 1.35m Open Jumper Stake saw 33 competitors face the opening track early Saturday morning, with 13 advancing to the jump-off. Coming out on top with a double-clear performance and jump-off time of 36.824 seconds was Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Lafayette Van Overis, owned by Starlight Farms 1 LLC. Taking the red ribbon was Alex Granato (USA) and Indio, owned by Reanna Stahl, DMV, with a clear jump-off time of 37.752 seconds. Completing the podium with a fault-free ride and a jump-off time of 37.934 seconds was Tony Cadet (FRA) and Festnoz Du Vert, owned by Shore Acres Farms, LLC.
Sunday morning kicked off with the $2,500 NAL Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper Stake presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic. Twenty-seven competitors rode the first track, which consisted of eleven obstacles, followed by a six-obstacle jump-off. Twelve competitors cleared the opening track to advance to the jump-off. Josephine Nash (USA) and Luron S Z, owned by Comfortside Farm, topped the class with a double-clear performance and a jump-off time of 33.509 seconds. Just off the pace, Stephanie Garrett (USA) and Elertina, owned Postage Stamp Farm LLC, finished in second with a clear jump-off time of 34.341 seconds, while Emma Sargent (USA) took home third with a double-clear time of 34.975 seconds with her own mount, Untouchable.
The day continued with the $2,500 High Jr/Am Jumper Stake presented by Arthramid®Vet. Twenty-one competitors rode the same opening track that was ridden by the Medium Jr/Am, while just five pairs advanced to the jump-off. The top spot was taken by the Medium Jr/Am third place winner, Emma Sargent (USA) and her own Giolita with a clear jump-off time of 33.468 seconds. Taking the second spot was Mackenzie Carreras (USA) and her own Chaccornet with a double-clear performance and a jump-off time 34.11. Completing the top three was Ana Cristina Rodriguez (ARG) and Ferdita, owned by Rodriguez Equestrian, with a clear jump-off time of 34.673 seconds.
