The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) came to an end on Sunday, April 4, and Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is proud to congratulate all of the Circuit Champions for the 2010 season. ESP is also thrilled with the many accomplishments that were made throughout the 2010 season and look forward to continued improvements during the summer months to make the 2011 Winter Equestrian Festival an unparalleled equestrian destination.

Throughout the 12 weeks of competition, almost $6 million was awarded in prize money, and over $560,000 was raised for 24 charities that competed in the Inaugural FTI Great Charity Challenge. The event brought in hundreds of new spectators and fans from local areas, and 100% of the money raised was distributed to 24 Palm Beach County Charities. Other new events included the $25,000 G & C Farm Young Rider Grand Prix, and the $30,000 Amateur Owner/Junior Jumper Zone Team Competition Final.

This season welcomed record-breaking numbers of spectators with the installation of the "Saturday Night Lights" series, which featured an exciting equestrian competition every Saturday night under the lights in a family-fun atmosphere. Entertainment included the famed Key West Sunset Street Performers, a children's fair, a live band, and even skydivers parachuting into the middle of the International Arena.

The $500,000 FTI Consulting FEI Five-Star Grand Prix drew the largest crowd in the history of the Winter Equestrian Festival, when over 9,000 spectators entered the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to watch McLain Ward and Sapphire race to victory in the esteemed class. Ward and Sapphire, owned by Ward and Blue Chip Bloodstock, were also awarded the prestigious Simba Run Perpetual Trophy, which is presented annually to the Open Jumper who earns the most prize money in classes held at 1.45m or above during the 2010 FTI WEF.

The 2010 FTI WEF also saw increased numbers of horses, riders, owners, and trainers. A whopping 4,862 horses and 2,872 riders competed over the 12 weeks of competition. It is no surprise that these numbers increased this year, due to the world-class events that were offered throughout the circuit. Featured competitions included: the USEF Selection Trials for Show Jumping for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Trials, the $75,000 Nations Cup presented by CN, the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, the $200,000 FEI World Cup presented by CN, the $50,000 CN Palm Beach Jumping Derby, the $50,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby, the AHJF/WCHR Hunter Classic Spectacular, and the 150,000 Euro Exquis World Dressage Masters.

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Champion Awards were presented to the top finishers in every division, based on prize money or points won. Laura Chapot took the record this year for the most circuit awards received when she earned three Circuit Champions, three Circuit Reserve Champions, as well as the award for Overall Jumper Rider, presented by Oakcroft. "It's always exciting to be Circuit Champion, especially in so many divisions. It shows a consistency throughout the whole circuit, and I'm really pleased because my horses did so well this year," Chapot commented.

Chapot received the Camping World 1.35m Jumper Circuit Championship aboard Mary Chapot's Capri, and the reserve championship with Chado Farms' Face Value. Chapot also dominated the Adequan Six-Year-Old Young Jumper division when she took home the Circuit Championship with Mary Chapot's Zealous, and received the reserve championship honors with Quointreu Un Prince, owned by Laura Chapot and McLain Ward. She rode her own mount, Little Big Mama, to the Circuit Champion tricolor in the Western Hay & Suncoast Bedding 1.30m Jumpers, and was also reserve champion in the Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jumpers with Chili Pepper.

Chapot is consistently Circuit Champion in several divisions every year at the Winter Equestrian Festival. She explained her strategy for success, "I like the circuit being so long because it allows us to give the horses a couple breaks, and we schedule those breaks depending on each horse's program, so that they don't get over tired, and stay fresh and excited about going in the ring."

In the remaining Jumper divisions, Jeffrey Welles rode Abigail Wexner's Zycarla Z to the Sentient Jet 1.45m Circuit Champion, over Laura Kraut and Tortola, owned by Beverly Widdowson. Rodrigo Pessoa added the Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Circuit Championship to his winning record aboard Palouchin de Ligny, owned by Pessoa Stables. LLC.

Shane Sweetnam, of Sweet Oak Farm and Spy Coast Farm, had several top finishes in the 2010 Circuit, and won the final Suncast $20,000 1.50m Classic on Sunday, April 3, with Little Emir, owned by Spy Coast Farm. LLC.

Charlie Jacobs of Boston, MA, piloted Deeridge Farm's Quidditch II to the High Amateur-Owner Jumper Circuit Championship. Tori Corts received the Circuit Champion award in the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumpers with Falkirk Farm's Ultimo Van Ter Moude, while Francesca Bolfo rode Venus TR to the Low Amateur-Owner Circuit Championship.

Reed Kessler sped to victory several times in the High Junior Jumpers to earn the Circuit Championship with Ligist. The Reist Industries Medium Junior Jumper Circuit Champion cooler was presented to Christina Kelly and Creata, owned by Diamond Edge Farm. Nina Montross was victorious in the Sidelines Pony Jumpers, and secured the 2010 Circuit Championship aboard Paradysz Farm's Indigo.

Adult Amateur Jumpers were always very competitive throughout the circuit, and the overall winner of the Classic Equine Adult Jumper 18-35 was Grisset and owner/rider Alissa Kinsey. Morgan Trexler rode her Wilmula to the Circuit Championship in the Equestrian Properties Adult Amateur Jumper 36-50.

Louise Serio of Kennet Square, PA, was another multiple Circuit Championship winner during the 2010 FTI WEF, and garnered the top tricolor in the Equisport Agency Pre-Green Hunter Three- and Four-Year-Old with Westerly Farm's Paisley Park. "He has a lovely attitude, is a beautiful mover, and is really going nicely right now. I'm pleased with him," Serio said of the four-year-old gelding.

She also rode Bright Star 158 ,LLC's seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Kid Rock, to the Second Year Green Working Hunter Circuit Championship, sponsored by Western Hay and Suncoast Bedding. "I think that if you're consistent with your training and your riding in the ring, then (the horses) understand it. That makes them comfortable, and you can really get more out of them," Serio acknowledged. She received the Western Hay & Suncoast Bedding Regular Working Hunter Circuit Reserve Championship with Bryan Baldwin's Castlerock, with whom she also won the $50,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby.

The Overall Hunter Rider Award, presented by Oakcroft, went to twelve-year-old Victoria Colvin, of Loxahatchee, FL. Colvin received the Circuit Champion Awards in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under with Scott Stewart's Caligo, and in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under with Way Cool, also owned by Scott Stewart. Scott Stewart was presented with the Overall Hunter Owner, as well as the Overall Hunter Trainer awards, also kindly provided by Oakcroft.

Colvin was champion in the Large Pony Hunters 10 weekends throughout the circuit, and earned both the Circuit Champion and Circuit Reserve Championship in the division aboard Betsee Parker's ponies, For the Laughter and Vanity Fair, respectively. "It means a lot to me to get to ride these horses (and ponies). There are so many to practice on, and I get better when I practice," she said.

Chris Payne rode MK Equine Holdings, LLC's Gracious to numerous championships throughout the 2010 season, and earned the Draper Therapies Baby Green Hunter Circuit Championship. "He just started showing down here. He hasn't done a lot before this year. He's shown five times down here, and has been champion several times," Payne explained of his four-year-old gelding.

The Gotham North Small Pony Hunter Circuit Champion was presented to Daisy Farish and Ballou, owned by Victoria Colvin. The nine-year-old Kentucky native rides with Patricia Griffith of Heritage Farm. Allison Toffolon rode Stone Ridge's Heart's Desire to the Medium Pony Hunter Circuit Championship, over Victoria Press and Manhattan Mortgage's Denmark, who took home the reserve award.

Happily Ever After, owned by Victoria Whitworth, was champion seven times in the Small/Medium Children's Pony Hunter division during the 2010 FTI WEF, and won the Circuit Champion award by a large margin. Eleven-year-old Madeleine Flocks, of South Hampton, NY, rode "Ella" to the many victories, and just started showing in the Children's and Medium Pony Hunters this year.

"It was pretty special because Madeleine came to me about a year ago, and was a little bit of a timid rider when she started, and I tried to develop confidence in her. The first time she rode Ella she was a little nervous because she was learning how to adapt to and adjust her stride. The third time she rode the pony we realized that it was just such a great match. The pony is only seven-years-old, so the two of them have a lot of good years ahead of them," explained trainer Kristina Muse, who teaches out of Beach Acre Farm.

Consistency paid off for Danielle Cooper, who rode her Amalfi to the Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 Circuit Championship, as well as Jane Gaston who received the prestigious award in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 & Over.

Sabrina Desena had a winning season aboard Snowy River, owned by Sarah Blackman, and piloted the pony to the Pine Hollow Short Stirrup Circuit Championship.

The GGT Footing Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Circuit Champion ribbon and cooler was awarded to Arriana Boardman and her mount, Gatsby. Sloan Brown rode Stella Blue, owned by Sloan Brown & The Infinity Group, to the Circuit Championship in the Illustrated Properties Adult Hunter 36-50 division. Kathy Mailloux and Classic Control, owned by Margaret Taylor, ruled the Pine Hollow Adult Amateur 3'3" over the 2010 FTI WEF, and were presented with the Circuit Champion Ribbon and cooler for their success in the division.

The Equine Tack & Nutritionals Children's Jumper Circuit Champion was Silver Touch in the 13 & Under and Justice League in the 14-17 division. The Wellington Collection Low Adult Jumper winner was Delia, owned by Hope Smith. Olivia Easton rode Gran Rivera, owned by Liana Magro, to the Farm Vet Low Children's Hunter 2010 Circuit Championship. The Circuit Championship in Section A of the SmartPak Equine Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2'6" was earned by Little Black Dress, and owner/rider Joy Harrington-Graue. The winner of the second section of the division was Tricia Barr, who rode Ginny Burton's Dream to the Circuit Championship.

Brittany Blais rode Fleet Street to several top ribbons in the Adult Amateur Equitation division, including three wins in the Ariat National Adult Medal. Blais, a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, placed in the top six standings every week that she showed, with the exception of one class. While competing at the FTI WEF, Blais trains with Susan Tuccinardi and Alan Korotkin of Castlewood Farm. The Palm Beach Adult Medal Final, sponsored by Beval Saddlery Ltd., culminated the Adult Equitation competition, and Asta Torokvei, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada emerged victorious through three phases of competition.

Several Circuit Championships were awarded in the age-group equitation divisions, all of which are kindly sponsored by RJ Classics. Garnering the most points in the RJ Classics 11 & Under Equitation was Brett Burlington, while the RJ Classics 12-14 Equitation was presented to Gillian Scott-Knight. Kelsey Hart claimed the RJ Classics 15-17 Equitation, ahead of reserve champion, Mary Abbruszzese. The RJ Classics Adult Equitation Circuit Champion was Asta Torokvei.

The Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51 & Over is one of the most popular divisions at the show, and was split into two sections throughout the circuit. Winning the Circuit Champion award in Section A was Anika B and owner/rider Lynn Rogers, while the Section B Circuit Champion Award was presented to Lisa Baugh and Pike's Peak, owned by Ann Anastasio.

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival exceeded expectations, and is in the books as a great success. The team at Equestrian Sport Productions would like to give a warm thank you to all who participated throughout the 2010 season, and look forward to seeing everyone again in 2011.

For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.