Wellington, FL – April 21, 2015 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) finished its third week of spring competition this past weekend at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with a hometown victory for Alex Granato. He rode Zenith Dance, owned by Page Tredennick, to victory in the $30,000 Equestrian Sport Productions Spring 3 Grand Prix.
Sunday’s Grand Prix saw 28 entries, ten of which had first clear rounds. The course was designed by Catsy Cruz, and featured numerous challenging combinations. Granato was one of five competitors to go clear in the jump-off, and managed to lay down an impressive jump-off time of 33.858 seconds.
Alex Granato and Zenith Dance
“When headed toward the last fence, I wasn’t worried about strides. I saw my distance, and I knew [Zenith Dance] is a careful horse,” said Granato in regards to his speedy gallop to his last jump-off fence, a single oxer set on a long approach. “I stuck to my guns, even though I was actually faster than I had planned on going, but with [Zenith Dance], it worked.”
Zenith Dance is an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Sydney x Indoctro) owned by Page Tredennick and spent last season traveling and competing in the High Junior Jumpers. Although he is not new to grand prixs, this was his first one this season and proved to be a successful class for both Zenith Dance and Granato.
Taking second place was Paul O’Shea, aboard Michael Hayden’s Primo De Revel, with a time of 36.332 seconds. Claiming third place was Wilhelm Genn and Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti, with a time of 36.791 seconds.
Alex Granato and Zenith Dance in their winning presentation
Following the grand prix, prizes for the ESP Spring Rider Challenge were awarded to the riders who earned the most points accumulated from the $10,000 Open Stakes Class and each $25,000 (Spring 1) or $30,000 (Spring 2 and 3) USEF Ranked Grand Prix offered at Spring 1, 2, & 3.
As the winner of the ESP Spring Rider Challenge, Paul O’Shea received a $5,000 bonus. In second, Amanda Derbyshire earned $3,000 and in third, Wilhelm Genn received $2,000.
Final Results: $30,000 Equestrian Sport Productions Spring III Grand Prix
1 1197 ZENITH DANCE – ALEX GRANATO – OWNED BY PAGE TREDENNICK – 0/0/33.858
2 345 PRIMO DE REVEL – PAUL O’SHEA – OWNED BY MICHAEL HAYDEN – 0/0/36.332
3 182 BUGATTI – WILHELM GENN – OWNED BY EDUARDO LEON – 0/0/36.791
4 514 GOLDBREAKER – AMANDA DERBYSHIRE – OWNED BY AMANDA DERBYSHIRE – 0/0/38.454
5 1403 WANNICK WH – CHRISTINE MCCREA – OWNED BY CANDY TRIBBLE -0/0/40.096
6 405 BINKIE – DAVID BLAKE – OWNED BY PINE HOLLOW FARM – 0/0/41.245
7 400 AL CALYPSO – MANUEL FERNANDEZ HACHE – OWNED BY SAMUEL PAROT – 0/4/37.835
8 696 ALFI – CARLOS QUINONES – OWNED BY MICHELLE NAVARRO-GRAU – 0/4/41.420
9 1258 WALTER 61 – EMANUEL ANDRADE – OWNED BY EMANUEL ANDRADE – 0/8/42.878
10 1381 ITTY BITTY – KELLY SOLEAU – OWNED BY KELLY SOLEAU – 0/12/38.389
11 998 ARISTA – JAMES CHAWKE – OWNED BY CHRISTINE SWAIL – 4/74.462
12 1354 ENTRE NOUS – LAUREN TISBO – OWNED BY TEQUESTRIAN FARMS LLC – 4/74.951
Jumper Highlights
In week three of ESP’s Spring Circuit, the $10,000 Open Jumper Stakes class saw 35 entries with 11 advancing to the jump-off and three double clear rounds. First place went to James Chawke aboard Christine Swail’s Arista, with an impressive time of 32.997 seconds. In second place was Amanda Derbyshire and her mount, Goldbreaker, with a time of 38.501. Wilhelm Genn and Eduardo Leon’s Bugatti took a close third with a time of 38.579.
James Chawke and Arista
The $5,000 1.35m Classic saw 34 entries with 11 advancing to the jump-off. Claiming first place was David Blake aboard his mount Park Lane, with a time of 39.16 seconds. In second was Michael Dorman aboard Wyndmont’s IV Ever in 40.032 seconds. In third was Carlos Quinones and Michelle Navarro-Grau’s Div Ya with a time of 40.442.
Carly Dvorkin and Pine Hollow’s Zelaleen claimed first place with a clear jump-off round in 36.777 seconds in the $1,500 NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by The Tackeria. Taking second place was Dvorkin again, this time aboard Pine Hollow Farm’s Alejandro in 37.557 seconds. Claiming third place was Natalia Gierbolini riding Natalia Gierbolini’s Twinkie in 38.101 seconds.
In the $2,500 High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Equiline, Victoria Karam claimed first place aboard her mount, Sacatina, with one time fault in 80.109 seconds. In second place was Emanuel Andrade and his mount, Gaverdi Z, with two time faults in 81.338 seconds. Karina Aziz and GC Chopin’s Bushi placed third with four faults in 78.68 seconds.
David Blake and Park Lane
The $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by FarmVet, saw 29 trips and ten clear rounds. Rafael Jose Contreras took first place aboard Valencio, with a jump-off time of 34.71 seconds. In second place was Julianna Fischer riding Calissa Z, with a time of 35.41. Emily Rizzo and Tuya placed third in 35.574 seconds.
In the $1,500 Low Children’s Jumper Classic, sponsored by Tuffrider & Equine Couture, first place went to Zachary Yariv aboard ADC Quantas LV Z, with a time of 37.525 seconds. Elizabeth Flavell placed second in 40.584 seconds riding Alex Jayne’s Thomas Edison. Marlee Malamut finished third with Tranquility Farm’s Cody in 43.092 seconds.
In the $1,500 Low Adult Jumper Classic, sponsored by Tuffrider & Equine Couture, Morgan Monahan took first place aboard her mount, Elle, with a time of 42.795 seconds. Second place went to Ann Lei and Chairman 22, clear in the jump-off in 45.133 seconds. Third place was claimed by Liselotte Sandberg riding Undercover V in 47.847.
Hunter Highlights
The hunter divisions continued during week three of ESP’s Spring Series. In the overall results for the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, Taylor St. Jacques aboard Peacock Ridge LLC’s All About Me took first. Missy Yoder and her mount, Too Much Fun, took second. In third place was Lindsay Levine aboard Carol Lindsay’s Belle-Aire.
Taylor St. Jacques and All About Me in their winning presentation with ringmaster Gustavo Murcia
In the $1,000 USHJA Pony Handy Hunter Classic, first place went to Christina Rogalny aboard Eric Caleca’s Brighton Supposedly. Second place went to Kayla Brusie riding Elm Creek Holdings LLC’s Davidson. Third place was claimed by Mia Albelo and her mount, Pashmina.
In the $1,000 Sweet Oak Farm combined Junior/Amateur Owner Hunter Classic, Madison Arani took first place aboard Taylor Willever’s Eloquence. Krista Weisman rode Krista and Alexa Weisman’s Reality to second place. Third place went to Phoebe Alwine riding Kimberly Stewart’s Lilly.
Zayna Rizvi and Peacock Ridge LLC’s First Edition claimed first place in the $500 Small Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by Charles Moorcroft Inc. In second place was Reid Arani aboard Sweet Oak Farm’s Long Story Short. In third place was Mia Albelo and Pashmina.
In the $500 Combined Medium/Large Pony Hunter Classic, sponsored by Charles Moorcroft Inc., Sophia Calamari and Ponies & Palms Show Stables LLC’s Spellbound claimed first. Second place went to Taylor St. Jacques aboard Linda Evan’s Dreamland. Third place went to Christina Rogalny riding Eric Caleca’s Brighton Supposedly.
In the Open Hunter 3’ Division, Kristy Herrera and Richard Schechter’s Zaloubet claimed the championship. Reserve Champion went to Katherine Newman aboard Jennifer Prior Thomas Skiffington’s Sundeen.
ESP’s Spring Series continues May 1 – 3, 2015. For full results, please visit www.pbiec.com.
Photo Credit: Photos © Mancini Photos, www.manciniphotos.com. These photos may be used only in relation to this press release and must include photo credit.