Christina Firestone and Wilhelmus S Win 1.30-1.35m Class (Shannon Bower/Phelps Media Group)

Wellington, Fla. - The Ridge at Wellington's Turf Tour visited Tonkawa Farms to kick off the ninth week of competition.  The sun shined all day over the gorgeous polo fields on the private estate.  Manicured hedges bordered the property and created a tranquil setting for the horses and riders to enjoy beautiful courses designed by Nick Granat in the main ring and Michel Ismalum in the second ring.  Many of the riders took advantage of the incredibly close proximity to the show grounds and nearby farms and hacked over.

Conor Swail rode several horses today in the 1.30-1.35m classes and set the time to beat on his winner from earlier weeks of the Tour.  Susan Grange's Fortis Fortuna blazed around the course, stopping the clock at 31.708 seconds.  This pair's time held up for the majority of the day.

Just before 2:30 p.m., Christina Firestone entered the ring aboard Graham Fletcher's Wilhelmus S.  She flew around the track, giving Swail a run for his money.  When the clock stopped, there was a new leader for the $2400 1.30-1.35 m class- the time read 29.917 seconds. 

Wilhelmus S is a new mount for Firestone, having just acquired the ride about a week ago.  "It's really exciting to come out here and go this well.  The course rode great!  I love jumping on the turf; I think the horses go better on it.  They were really friendly courses, the striding was right on, and I didn't have to question any of it."

Firestone was happy to be supporting the Turf Tour.  "We've been doing the same classes every week over at the other horse show, and I wanted to change it up.  It's great that they have two rounds back to back, so that if you make a mistake in the first round you can go back and fix it in the next one.  I think it's really nice that they have the friendly 1.40 Grand Prix on Friday, I'll for sure be back for it!"

The second $2400 1.30-1.35m class was won by McLain Ward on HH Eli Cash for Double H Farm.  The world-class athlete piloted the 8-year-old to an unbeatable time of 30.291 seconds.  Ward made his jump off round look effortless, leaving out strides and wasting no time in the turns on his way to the victory.

Ward spoke about his mount that he has brought to many of the stops during the Turf Tour.  "He's an eight year old, owned by Double H Farm.  I've just been developing him here in this series and he's coming along quite nicely.  He'll continue to compete in this series; he'll do the 1.40 on Friday and probably do one more before the end of the season.  He's an exciting talent."

He continued, "The course rode beautifully.  Nick Granat's done an unbelievable job this whole season for the young horses.  The venues are spectacular.  Really for the young horses it's a far better, more tranquil and more productive experience than the back rings at the other show.  It really gives them some great experience for the future so it's really nice to have."

Second went to Dafnina, ridden by Diego Gonzalez Cremer for Claudia Licousi.  As the last rider of the day, Diego did his best to catch Ward's time, but fell short finishing in 31.096 seconds.  Third went to Miranda Scott riding her long time partner Quick Latinus, posting a time of 32.062 seconds.