Wellington, FL – March 12, 2010 – Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ, proved that she is one of the best young riders in the country by producing an impressive performance in the $25,000 G&C Farm Young Riders Grand Prix, which was held on Thursday evening, March 11. Springsteen was the only rider to go double clear, and she did that twice. She placed first with Iscariote and was second on Vornado van den Hoendrik, both owned by Stone Hill Farm. Catherine Pasmore and My Boy placed third.

The ninth week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by CN and runs through Sunday, March 14. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and they will be awarding almost $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela designed the course for the 36 entries in the class. All of the riders in the class were aged 16-21. Seven went clear in the first round to continue to the jump-off.

“The jumps weren’t that big, but the course was technical. The turns came up sharp and the time allowed was kind of tight,” Springsteen said. “It was a really nice course, and it was fun to show under the lights. It was really cool, and a lot of fun. I’d never shown Iscariote under the lights before. It’s nice to have a class like this where you’re in it with your friends, and being under the lights makes it more exciting.”

In the jump-off, Michael Murphy and Katina 12 went first, producing a four fault effort in 44.411 seconds for fifth place.

Springsteen was up next with Vornado, and she put down a clean trip in 44.539 seconds to take the lead.

Springsteen is in her third year of riding Vornado van den Hoendrik, a 12-year-old BWP gelding by Darco xx Ramiro. “I really know him and he’s kind of a different ride. He has a big stride and he’s a lot smoother. You can kind of ride him like an equitation horse,” she described.

She was followed by Kirstie Dobbs and Treesdale Farms’ Eso, who also had four faults, but in a fast time of 43.083 seconds that would place her fourth. Sarah Johnstone and Leonidas, owned by Trish Crang, placed seventh when they produced an eight fault round in 52.576 seconds. Jazz Mace and Tarco had four faults in 44.678 seconds to place sixth.

Springsteen would enter the ring next on Iscariote and put down a speedy trip in 43.604 seconds and no faults to go to the lead on her second horse.

Springsteen said that having a second horse in the jump-off helped, and there was a change she made from her first ride. “I was thinking of doing eight strides to the double (combination). On my first horse, I was kind of running and then at the last minute I did nine (strides),” she explained. “On my second horse, I was able to measure that better and he was able to jump it better. Sometimes he lands and hops instead of extending, (but) he was really smooth tonight.”

She added, “I think I went the fastest to the last jump. Maybe I was tighter to the green jump as well.”

The last to go was Catherine Pasmore on My Boy, owned by Pasmore Stables. They had the fastest time of the night in 41.388 seconds, but four faults left them in third place.

Springsteen has also had Iscariote, a 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Calypso d’Herbiers xx Jalisco B, for two years. She described, “He’s like a little pony. He’s kind of a different ride because his head is downhill and my other jumpers are more uphill. I’ve just started getting the swing of things (with him). You kind of have to just drop him at the end and let him do his own thing. You have to let him jump instead of trying to over-control it.”

Having the $25,000 G&C Farm Young Riders Grand Prix is something that Springsteen and her fellow competitors appreciate. “I love how they have the Young Riders Grand Prix classes here,” she agreed. “It’s a really good opportunity for riders under 21 to jump bigger classes instead of going straight into the big grand prix. This will help me be less nervous for the bigger classes now.”

Friday’s competition in all rings at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival was cancelled due to inclement weather. A further release will be sent out with a revised schedule for Saturday’s and Sunday’s classes.

The highlight event of the week is the $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*, presented by CN on Saturday, March 13, with festivities starting at 6 p.m.

For full results and more information, please visit www.shownet.biz or www.equestriansport.com.

Final Results: $25,000 G&C Farm Young Rider Grand Prix
1. ISCARIOTE, JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, STONE HILL FARM: 0/0/43.604
2. VORNADO VAN DEN HOENDRIK, JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, STONE HILL FARM: 0/0/44.539
3. MY BOY, CATHERINE PASMORE, PASMORE STABLES: 0/4/41.388
4. ESO, KIRSTIE DOBBS, TREESDALE FARMS: 0/4/43.083
5. KATINA 12, MICHAEL MURPHY, MICHAEL MURPHY: 0/4/44.411
6. TARCO, JAZZ MACE, JAZZ MACE: 0/4/44.678
7. LEONIDAS, SARAH JOHNSTONE, TRISH CRANG: 0/8/52.576
8. URBI FRAVENCA, LAURA BELMONT, CHARLES DE GUNZBERG: 4/71.340                   
9. ESQUILINO BAY, KELSEY THATCHER, PONY LANE FARM: 4/71.571                   
10. KELLINE FONROY, CLEMENTINE GOUTAL, CLOVERLEAF FARM: 4/74.158                   
11. TORNADO R, ALEXANDRA DUVAL, GREENER PASTURES: 4/76.704                   
12. VATRICIA, NAVONA GALLEGOS, BAR X RANCH LLC: 4/77.228

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 13 through April 4. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $5.5 million in prize money will be awarded.

WEF is proud to be supported by their title sponsor, FTI Consulting, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex economic, legal and regulatory environment.  FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. For more information, please visit www.fticonsulting.com.

During the 12 weeks of WEF, “Saturday Night Lights” headlines the entertainment each Saturday night where spectators not only enjoy the Grand Prix class, but a street carnival, live music, and numerous dining options with box seats, sports bars, and the famed Tiki Hut for front row fun.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.