Wellington, FL – January 14, 2018 – The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, concluded its first week of competition on Sunday with the $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix. Victory went to Emily Moffitt (GBR) riding Poden Farms’ Tipsy du Terral.

Hunter, jumper, and equitation competition at WEF continues through April 1, 2018, and offers more than $9 million in prize money. Week 2, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, is on January 17-21, and features the $70,000 Marshall & Sterling Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday, January 20, at 7 p.m. The $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix and $35,000 Hollow Creek Farm 1.45m Classic will be held on Sunday, January 21.

There were 44 entries in Sunday’s grand prix, and they competed over a course designed by Eric Hasbrouck.

“Eric Hasbrouck did a beautiful job this week with the courses,” said Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward. “Lots of horses are coming off a short winter break and it’s a long season here and you’re trying to start up some new horses, some greener horses. You want to make it challenging, but on the friendly side to let the horses get going. I thought it was a great course.”

Fifteen went clear to return for the jump-off, and six went double clear. It was 19-year-old Emily Moffitt (GBR) and Tipsy du Terral, an 11-year-old Selle Francais mare by Toulon, who recorded the fastest time of 35.508 seconds for the win.

“I figured I’d just go as fast as I could,” said Moffitt. “I know she’s a fast horse, but she’s also a really big horse, so coming to the double I saw a distance that wasn’t super close to the jump, but I figured why not, it’s going to save some time and it ended up working in my favor. I’m happy she’s as careful as she is.”

Near the end of the jump-off, Mattias Tromp (USA) and Chicago Hof Eversem Z, owned by Swede Ventures LLC, slotted into second place with a time of 37.323 seconds, while McLain Ward (USA) and HH Gigi’s Girl were third in 37.713 seconds.

Moffitt, who trains with Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher of Great Britain, bought “Tipsy” in the summer of 2017. Maher rode Tipsy throughout the fall, and Moffitt just came back after a seven-week break from riding to return and win the grand prix.

“Maybe I should take some vacations more often,” she quipped.

“Last year was a rough year — I had an accident with my horse in Ocala and she had to be put down — so I’m glad to come back here and immediately start off on the right foot; it means more to me than most people would think. It’s a nice feeling to be back,” added Moffitt.

Moffitt has 15 horses at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“I’m pretty busy,” said the rider, who is based in the Cotswolds of England. “I have a few new horses. I’m going to focus on getting to know them, so by the end hopefully I’ll be at the top level with them all and ready for the summer in Europe.”

Another young rider at 23 years old, Tromp is getting to know his new horse as well.

“I started competing him last week,” said Tromp of the nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Con Spirito R. He’s a horse that McLain found for me last week in Belgium. It’s very new.”

Having a top three grand prix finish for HH Gigi’s Girl, a nine-year-old KWPN mare by Vingino, was something that made Ward happy.

“Gigi is a horse we purchased last summer,” he said. “It’s actually the last horse Hunter [Harrison] bought for me. She’s named after his wife Jeannie, who was here today, so it was nice that she went so well in the first grand prix after his passing.

“It’s a very talented horse; she doesn’t have a wealth of experience, but she was off to a good start this week and we have high hopes for her, but she has to develop along.”

Sponsor Dan Rosenbaum stated, “I’m an extremely proud sponsor and I’m always learning more about how this works from the rider, the trainers’ point of view, because I see it from an entirely different side. It’s a very special thing and an amazing experience to be here.”

Final Results: $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix

1 TIPSY DU TERRAL: 2007 Selle Francais mare by Toulon x Quat’sous
EMILY MOFFITT (GBR), Poden Farms: 0/0/35.508

2 CHICAGO HOF EVERSEM Z: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Con Spirito R x Papillon Rouge
MATTIAS TROMP (USA), Swede Ventures LLC: 0/0/37.323

3 HH GIGI’S GIRL: 2008 KWPN mare by Vingino x Celano
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Double H Farm: 0/0/37.713

4 HELIANTE TER WILGEN: 2007 BWP mare by Chin Chin x Surrealist van’t Paradijs
HECTOR FLORENTINO (DOM), Marion Scott Head: 0/0/38.142

5 UDSTURM DU LYS: 2008 Selle Francais gelding by Landsturm OLD
ALEXA LOWE (USA), Windsor Farm Sales: 0/0/38.935

6 ZEPHIRE: 2004 KWPN mare by Coriano x Animo
HAYLEY BARNHILL (USA), Barnhill LLC: 0/0/40.082

7 BÖCKMANNS LAZIO: 2000 Westphalian stallion by Lancer II x Cor de la Bryere
MARGIE ENGLE (USA), Gladewinds Farm Inc.: 0/4/35.110

8 HIJA VAN STROKAPELLEKEN: 2007 BWP mare by Calido I x Azur de Paulstra
MCLAIN WARD (USA), Evergate Stable LLC: 0/4/36.184

9 ISHD DUAL STAR: 2002 Irish Sport Horse mare by Quick Star x Concorde
LAURA CHAPOT (USA), Mary Chapot: 0/4/37.513

10 FOR EDITION: 2000 Hanoverian stallion by Forsyth FRH x Leggiero
TAYLOR LAND (USA), Jay Land: 0/4/37.549

11 SHIVER: 2005 Hanoverian gelding by Stakkato x Grannus
LIZA FINSNESS (USA), Lisa Finsness: 0/4/38.973

12 WIN FOR LIFE: 2006 Zangersheide gelding by Winningmood van de Arenberg X Chatman
CHRISTINE MCCREA (USA), Candy Tribble: 0/4/39.299

Suzanne Smith and Le Caro Take Top Honors in FarmVet Adult Amateur Hunter Older Sec. B

Suzanne Smith and her mount, Le Caro, were crowned champions at the end of Sunday’s FarmVet Adult Amateur Hunter Older Sec. B. The duo, who have been partners since October of 2016, took home a first and second over fences out of 22 total competitors with an impressive score of 82 in both rounds. They also placed second in the under saddle. The reserve championship went to Coolidge, ridden by Nancy Hooker and owned by Richard Prant.

“He’s a really good soul,” said Smith of the 8-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding. “This horse has all the ability to jump. He is a lovely mover, has a kind heart and a big step, and he thinks well.”

Having taken a brief hiatus from showing at the end of 2017, Smith, a full-time veterinarian from Milford, NJ, was happy to start the new year on a high note. The rider praised her trainer, Rachel Kennedy, for all her help, and commented on her trust in the professional’s preparation of Le Caro.

“I have been with Rachel for 20 plus years now,” said Smith. “She is a good horsewoman and a true friend through all of our life changes. I know [Le Caro] doesn’t need a lot of preparation time, but it’s always better if an amateur like me, who does not ride between horse shows, lets her trainer tell her that the horse is ready.”

WEF 1 marks the young gelding’s second show in the 3’6” Green Hunters with Kennedy, while Smith has continued to show him in the Adult Amateur Hunter Older division.

“I am just happy to show at three-foot,” said Smith. “It fits into my life. I’ve got a couple other horses at home, but this is the one!”

In light of her championship win, the rider reflected on the progress she has made since her Saturday classes over fences and on her focus moving forward.

“Don’t look down,” said Smith. “Look up, go forward, get out of his face. Yesterday I was all over my hands, but it feels great to come back the next day and fix those problems. Everyone wants to win. It is a great experience.”

For full results and more information, please visit www.PBIEC.com .

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