Kelli Cruciotti and Chamonix H (Sportfot)
Returning 13th in the jump-off, Cruciotti chose an inside turn option to the final two fences that shaved vital seconds off her time and stopped the clock at 38.47. The effort bumped Under 25 Grand Prix Series veteran Nicole Bellissimo and Bellissimo, LLC's VDL Bellefleur to second with a time of 39 seconds flat. Just fractions slower, Sydney Shulman aboard Jill Shulman's Venice crossed the timers in 39.70 seconds for third place.
"I wanted to have a nice, forward round and was originally going to do the inside turn," said Cruciotti. "Then I went back and forth and finally thought I might as well try." The gamble worked out perfectly for the young rider who is a senior at K12 International Academy and trains with her mother Cindy Cruciotti at Serenity Farm Show Stables in Elizabeth, Colorado.
Cruciotti has been partnered with 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood Chamonix H for two years and is eager to showcase the mare's talent. "She had a lot of experience before I got her. She has done some 5* classes and I don't have that much experience, so it's a nice combination to know my horse has plenty of scope and I can trust her throughout the course," she said. "I am really looking forward to seeing her do the different classes offered [in the series] from the speed to the team event. It's a fantastic series, and I have to thank Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, (Dutta Corp.), and Artisan Farms. "
Riders concurred that Musette's course was a true test of horse and rider with lines built on the half stride and big, wide oxers. But, 21-year-old Bellissimo maintains it was an even bigger test of familiarity. "He set a course where you had to know your horse and whether they could handle the options that were there," she said. "Walking it I didn't think 18 would go clear, but there were a lot of exceptionally nice horses and talented riders and you saw that come out over this course."
Bellissimo also opted for an inside turn and gallop to the final fences of the course, but couldn't make the win. "I was a little slow from one to two and I got stopped doing the inside turn," she said. "I didn't think I was going to do it when I went into the ring. My trainer Candice [King] said to see what happened when I landed. VDL Bellefleur is a really brave horse and I thought that I'd do it and luckily it ended up being okay."
Bellissimo plans to compete in all classes offered in the Series while juggling a course load at Harvard University where she is currently a Sophomore.
While Cruciotti and Bellissimo have found a rhythm with their horses, it was Shulman's maiden voyage in the irons of Venice. "I bought this horse a week ago and this is my first horse show on her, so this is very exciting for me. It's a good start with her," said 19-year-old Shulman about the nine-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare. "I knew her in Sweden as a seven-year-old, loved her and I got her. She just started at 1.60m this fall, so it's all new for her."
Sunday's Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix sponsors and equestrian apparel brands Equine Couture and TuffRider were represented by the company's founders who have returned to the horse show scene after previous involvement at WEF several years ago.
"We feel that being part of something at such a high level really catapults our brands into the limelight," said Laurie Sharma. "We love and enjoy every second, especially being involved in a grand prix with young, talented riders and to be seen by so many people. This is the equestrian capital of the world, so for us it's a pure honor."
Besides sponsoring classes in the Series, Equine Couture/TuffRider truly appreciate the input of up-and-coming riders. "We are happy to continue the association with young rising stars," said Varun "Timmy" Sharma. "We have an ambassador program starting, and we will be electing from winners of the Series. From the ambassadors, we look forward to getting product ideas and input as to how we can improve."
While the horizon is bright for the top finishers in this week's Grand Prix, the future is also promising for the series as a whole. "I'm so pleased about the success of the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series," said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions. "I want to thank the Ziegler family of Artisan Farms, as well as The Dutta Corp. with Guido Klatte and the other sponsors that have joined us for the Series this year. We created this program four years go to provide a path for talented young riders. With 70 horses jogging for the classes this week. With the level of participation increased this year, the enthusiasm for the Series is outstanding."
The Series gives young riders a valuable stepping-stone from the junior and amateur ranks to the grand prix level and culminates with the $50,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Final. The Final will take place Sunday, March 22 on the grass derby field at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during WEF 11.
Final Results: $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider
1. 2549 CHAMONIX H KELLI CRUCIOTTI (USA) SERENITY EQUESTRIAN VENTURES: 0/0/38.47
2. 5 VDL BELLEFLEUR NICOLE BELLISSIMO (USA) BELLISSIMO, LLC: 0/0/39.00
3. 4877 VENICE SYDNEY SHULMAN (USA) JILL SHULMAN: 0/0/39.70
4. 1009 TEIRRA ALISE OKEN (USA) HI HOPES FARM, LLC: 0/0/40.45
5. 2804 IV EVER SPENCER SMITH (USA) WYNDMONT: 0/0/41.25
6. 2855 WHY NOT SOPHIE SIMPSON (USA) SIMPSON SHOW JUMPING, INC.: 0/0/41.84
7. 817 DON'T GO CATHERINE TYREE (USA) CATHERINE TYREE: 0/4/39.28
8. 2045 ZAGAHORN MAVIS SPENCER (USA) NEIL JONES: 0/4/39.52
9. 711 FIDALGO VAN HET LELIEHOF KAELY TOMEU (USA) SIBONEY RANCH: 0/4/40.08
10. 2267 DON JUAN VICTORIA COLVIN (USA) KAREN LONG DWIGHT: 0/4/41.63
11. 4156 BARTANI S CHARLOTTE JACOBS (USA) NORTH STAR: 0/4/42.89
12. 939 CAYENNE 140 VICTORIA PRESS (USA) VICTORIA PRESS: 0/4/43.48