David Beisel and Ameretto
Twenty-five horse and rider combinations tried their hand at Leopoldo Palacios challenging and technical course. Palacios placed several new fences, unseen throughout the week, into the mix including a stone wall as the first on the course and a beautiful replica of the Mackinaw Bridge. A liverpool/oxer to the skinny Mackinaw Bridge jump, a very short four strides or a long three strides, cost many a rail. The triple bar to a one-stride vertical was another line that required perfect execution and caught some competitors with a knockdown. Time was another major factor with the course, and the time allowed was adjusted after the first round to 85 seconds. Palacios tested the horses and riders to do be accurate, tidy and fast.
"At the end of the week I am more difficult," said Palacios about his courses. "The most important is developing horses and riders-not to over face them. Many people say I am too strong. But I am strong when I need to be strong. I try to bring to them the best they can be."
Both Beisel and Genn said that they were excited about the course when they walked it. Palacios achieved his goal which them.
"I thought after walking the course that it looked like a whole lot of fun," Beisel said. "It had a different look and feel to it. The last time I jumped one of Leopoldo's courses was at Live Oak in Ocala, and I felt like my horse really learned from it. I was fortunate to have two other horses go first, because I learned a little bit about the course."
And Genn agreed. "I thought Leopoldo's course was awesome," he said. "As I was walking it, I kept thinking about how excited I was to jump it. I told my dad that I hadn't been this excited to jump a course for as long as I can remember."
Genn was 11 in the order of go and was the very first to have a fault-free first round aboard Cookie Monster, who he describes as a little slow but a huge jumper who loved the larger, harder course. It wasn't determined until Beisel and Ammeretto's round, 18 in the order, that there would be a jump-off round when the duo executed the only other clear round within the time allowed.
The two horses who progressed to the jump-off couldn't be more different, yet both are extremely effective in their own style. Ammeretto is an 8-year-old, 16-hand Dutch Warmblood stallion. A quick and catty athlete, he is lightening fast and jumps effortlessly. Cookie Monster is a huge 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding with an enormous stride and a big jump who makes the courses look easy.
Genn piloted Cookie Monster smoothly and flawlessly around the short course in a time of 41.090 seconds, then Beisel sped Ammeretto around the course and broke the beam 38.013 seconds to claim the first place prize.
"Luckily I know my little stallion well enough and he understood what was asked," Beisel said. "I certainly enjoyed the course a lot. I know Ryan has been clear in almost every class so far in the jump-off, so I expected him to go clear. It was my assumption that if I could just stay clear and let my horse do his normal speed I'd be a little quicker. Typically I just let Ammeretto do his thing, and hoped the time would take care of itself."
when he topped the leaderboard of the Young Jumper Championship Qualifier for the 7-year olds. Beisel and Donnaludine, owned by Equine Holdings LLC were the only two to go double clear in this morning's class, trailed by Liz Atkins and Rodeo VDL, owned by Benchmark Stables LLC, in second place with a time of 81.652; a whole 3.75 seconds faster than the third place pair, Theo Genn and Dirocco Blue, owned by Eduardo Leon.
The championship title of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic was also awarded today, with Erin Haas of North Face Farms, sponsors of the afternoon's $50,000 Grand Prix, clinching the win. Haas and Coachella, owned by North Face Farm, were the only pair to go double clear in the class. The pair also navigated to a first place in Friday's class and landed fifth place on Thursday, enough to name them the champions of the division. Ryan Genn and Zenith B. came in second.
"This is really Coachella's first year getting more consistent in the high amateurs, so she's a little bit more green with miles, but she's getting to be much more consistent," Haas said. "I feel like she jumped really well today. I got a little rushed midway through, but we were able to settle back down and finish off with a clean round. She tries so hard."
Haas and Coachella plan to finish out next week at Great Lakes Equestrian Festival to gain some mileage in the High Amateurs. In early August the pair will make the trek to Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show in Zionsville, Indiana, followed by the American Gold Cup in North Salem, New York in Sept., two horse shows also managed by Stadium Jumping, Inc. The Haas family generously supports the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. circuit through their sponsorship.
"I really love Stadium Jumping, and love going to the shows they organize," she said. "It's been a great show so far. Everything has been running very smoothly. We've sponsored this show since it started here, and it's great to see it continue."
Today's competition concluded the third week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. Week IV will kick off Wednesday, July 22 the final week of the series. The $25,000 Welcome Stake takes place Friday and the $50,000 Great Lakes Grand Prix, presented by The Peninsula Group at Morgan Stanley will be held on Sunday, July 26. In addition, a $25,000 International Hunter Derby presented by the Gochman Family will be held Saturday, July 25.
For more information or to view schedules, please visit www.stadiumjumping.com or www.greatlakesequestrianfestival.com.