In a repeat performance, DFG Stables’ owner/head trainer Daniel Geitner partnered with Kyle Register’s Trading Places to win Sunday’s $30,000 finale grand prix at the Aiken Spring Classics. The duo was also victorious in last week’s $25,000 event.
“It’s been a good two weeks,” an exuberate Geitner said by phone after besting 22 tough competitors in Sunday afternoon’s featured event the $30,000 Carolina Real Estate Grand Prix. In sharing that Trading Places had a good portion of the winter season off to rest, Geitner believes his partner is rewarding him now, as evidenced with back-to-back wins. “We had to go quite fast in the jump-off, but he’s [Trading Places] really on it. I just tried to stay out of his way,” said a laughing Geitner. “I’m always happy to win a hometown event and with a hometown horse who’s owner is in attendance.”
The finale week in Aiken was full of big wins for Geitner as well as many of the DFG family. From the hunter rings he picked up three reserve championships; with the Capall, LLC-owned White Oak in the Aiken County hunter section, Conducteur-owned by Allyson Lewis in the baby green division, and Frederick Schofield’s Acorino took reserve honors again in the regular working hunters. Throughout the week Geitner garnered top placings on numerous mounts, including a pair of blue ribbons in the open hunters with Harry Potter for owner Robin Hughes.
From the jumper field Geitner picked up the tri-colors of champion in the meter 1.20 with Laura Regan’s Wiedan; the pair also placed third in the six-year-old young jumper division. Rex Marquette’s Fargo scored well with Geitner in the irons, this week picking up a second in the meter 1.20, second in the meter 1.35, and a fourth in the meter 1.40 divisions. As did Ann Ritter’s Jumbo Jet who picked up a third in the meter 1.35 and finished fourth in the $30,000 Prix with Geitner piloting.
The best part of the week according to Geitner was being ringside to watch the many successes of the DFG family. “I’m always proud of their performance. We’ve had a great time together,” he said. Continuing her winning ways was Alexis Reece in the adult amateur hunters 18-35 section with a second champion title aboard the Ann Lineberger-owned Steel My Heart. The pair also won the NAL WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic (18-35) and received the Adult Hunter Circuit Championship award. Collecting another reserve champion honor this week was owner-rider Kimberly Quinn with Springsteen in the amateur owner hunter 35 & over division. Laura Regan took the championship in the adult amateur hunters 35-50 division with her mount Orient De Mesille. And owner-rider Sabrina Giancroce wrapped up a championship in the unrestricted child-adult hunter section with Saint Jimmy. Also for a second week Elizabeth Butterworth scored big on Sportspage with a reserve championship in the schooling pony hunter division and was honored with the Best Child-Pony Rider Award. While owner-rider Elizabeth Tarumianz had a strong fourth-place finish in the NAL WIHS Adult Hunter 18-35 Classic with Bocelli.
From the jumper ring Kathryn Jarriel and Wat Tyler captured the championship in the meter 1.00 section and won the Taylor Harris National Medal class. Shawn Casady picked up a second-place check in the $5000 NAL WIHS Child Adult Jumper Classic riding Cloverhill’s Silver Lining for owner Arnold Bloom and owner-rider Brittany Knox finished a strong sixth in the same classic. Catherine “Cat” Stumberg picked up a pair of red ribbons in the meter 1.00 division with Snook and Riverdance, both owned by sister Sara.
Daniel and the DFG family will enjoy a little down time before heading on to Conyers, GA, for the Atlanta Spring Premier competition at the Georgia International Horse Park.