Theo Genn and Asirea Fortuna led the way in the 1.30m Open Jumpers on the second day of the Showplace Spring Spectacular III.(Phelps Media Gorup)
"We are third generation," Theo Genn explained. "My grandfather was already a professional rider, and then my father grew up riding. We followed in his footsteps. It is nice for all of us to be together, and it allows for us to work off of one another's strengths and weaknesses. I have grown really close with my younger brother, and it is great that we have each other for different ideas and opinions. It helps quite a bit, especially for the bigger classes and the younger horses. You really need someone on the ground, and it gives us a definite advantage."
Ringside, mother and wife Patricia Genn shoots videos of her husband and children, providing support from the sidelines. Patricia's forte was the hunters, but when she and Wilhelm met in Wellington many years ago she began to focus on producing jumpers. Although Wilhelm rides with striking equitation, the joke of the family is that the children ride with the finesse of the "hunter gene."
The LUXMAX U.S.A. Grand Prix Ring at the Lamplight Equestrian Center transformed back into the premiere show jumping facility, making it hard to believe that one of the most prestigious derbies in the nation had taken place less than 24 hours prior. Entering into a race against the clock, 25 riders faced off in the $2,500 1.30m Open Jumpers, sponsored by Canterbury Farms.
Megan Moshontz-Bash was the first to take on the morning's track. She guided Pourkoipa Fontaine, owned by Cleveland Equestrian, to a double clear round in 29.152 seconds. Andrew Kocher and Coco 135 fell just shy of her time, crossing the timer in 29.332 seconds.
Theo Genn and was the only contender who could catch Moshontz-Bash. He took a more conservative approach to the jump-off with Asirea Fortuna, owned by Eduardo Leon, but their large stride and forward pace proved enough to take over the lead. Theo broke the beam in 27.626 seconds to take over the lead and eventually the morning's victory.
"Asirea Fortuna is a really sporty mare, really fast with quick legs, and she is careful and scopey. I really try to carry her with a high pace, stay out of her mouth and let her be smooth," Theo explained. "You just have to carry a good rhythm, and today I wasn't going fast at all on her. I didn't think I was going to win the class today on her. She is the fastest horse I have ever ridden in my life. She is so quick, extremely efficient and in the air for a short amount of time."
"Even though she is only 8 years old, we have won a grand prix and come in second in another. This was really a schooling class for her, and I knew that I didn't want to push her too hard with the grand prix approaching this weekend," Theo stated.
With thunderstorms on the horizon and clouds billowing over the Lamplight Equestrian Center the $2,500 1.40m Open Jumpers, sponsored by ROC USA and Julie Novak, got underway. Riders were racing against the unwelcoming elements, as well as the clock as they moved through the obstacles in an attempt to best the next.
Theo continued with his winning ways, attempting to duplicate his earlier effort. This time he rode Aniviero Z, owned by Amy Lefferdink, to a double clear round in 36.223 seconds. It seemed as though his time might hold, but speed demon Lisa Goldman took over the lead with Rocs to Riches in a timely 35.546 seconds.
Theo described the course designed by Alan Wade, "The courses were beautiful today. We rode his courses in Houston at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, and I really like his courses. They are built really well, spread out but have a good rhythm and flow."
It seemed as though Goldman would take the win on the opening day for her third consecutive week, but Wilhelm Genn had his eyes set on the 1.40m win. He rode Happy Z to a clean first round, and then as the wind picked up, so did Wilhelm's speed as they cleared the 1.40m short course in 34.516 seconds.