For Immediate Release
Jennifer Wood and Sabrina Brashares for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL – March 3, 2021 – Scoring a morning win on Thursday, March 4, in the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 were Emily Moffitt (GBR) and Poden Farms’ Tipsy du Terral during CSIO4* week at the 2021 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).
WEF 8 sponsored by Premier Equestrian, continues through March 7 and features the $150,000 Nations Cup, presented by Premier Equestrian on Friday, March 5, the $50,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m National Grand Prix and $37,000 Hermès Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix under the lights on Saturday, March 6, and the $214,000 Grand Prix CSIO4*, presented by JTWG, Inc., on Sunday, February 7. All feature classes will be available live and on-demand on the livestream.
Over a course designed by Steve Stephens (USA) and Nick Granat (USA), 56 entries went for speed in a one-round format. There were 26 clear rounds, but the fastest of them all was Emily Moffitt and Tipsy du Terral, who were able to conquer the 13 numbered obstacles on the track in 63.82 seconds.
Moffitt went 37th in the original order and beat the then-winning time of 64.34 seconds set by Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Devon MacNeil’s Vinci de Beaufour a 12-year-old Selle Français gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Heartbreaker, who would finish in second place.
“I watched Darragh go into the lead, and I said to my friend, ‘Wow that was spectacular. That’s how we gotta do it!’” said Moffitt. “And then I didn’t really think about it again. I had my plan, and you know [my trainer] Ben [Maher] always says we have our plan and if we win, we win, great, and if not, we gave it a good shot, so it paid off today.”
Third place went to Adam Prudent (USA) and Baloutinue, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Landor S owned by Plain Bay Farm. They were two seconds behind in 66.31 seconds.
Moffitt has been riding Tipsy du Terral for more than three years. “I have always had a very great connection with her,” said Moffitt of the 14-year-old Selle Français mare by Toulon x Quat’Sous. “I love when they’re strong and they pull, but she still allows you to really ride her so it’s the best of both for me. We have always since the beginning had a great partnership, and she tries her heart out for me every single time she goes in the ring.
“Another great quality that Tipsy has is she’s not one that you have to pull back together or have a training round after going fast,” described Moffitt, who will ride Tipsy du Terral in Sunday’s $214,000 Grand Prix CSIO4*, presented by JTWG, Inc. “She actually gains more confidence from it, which is great to be able to go in and try to win every single class.”
Held in the DeNemethy Ring, Shane Sweetnam (IRL) took the first place ribbon in the $25,000 ProElite Jumper Classic on Madiba AG Z, owned by Sweetnam, Spy Coast Farm, and Paul Tracy, with a clear round in 36.280 seconds. They were the fastest of six in the jump-off, narrowly edging out Daniel Deusser (GER) and Stephex Stables’ Bingo Ste. Hermelle, who had a time of 36.348 seconds. The third double clear round for third place came from Lauren Hough (USA) and Harley D, owned by Hillside Farm LLC, in 36.824 seconds.
The U25 riders fired up their competition again with the Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix Series in WEF 8. In the $10,000 Hermès U25 Welcome, Delaney Flynn (USA) and Grace Jacobsen’s Milan IV rode to victory, while Dominic Gibbs and Delia B won the $1,000 Hermès U25 1.40m.
Final Results: $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 8
1. TIPSY DU TERRAL: 2007 Selle Français mare by Toulon x Quat’Sous
EMILY MOFFITT (GBR), Poden Farms: 0/63.82
2. VINCI DE BEAUFOUR: 2009 Selle Français gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Heartbreaker
DARRAGH KENNY (IRL), Devon MacNeil: 0/64.34
3. BALOUTINUE: 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Balou du Rouet x Landor S
ADAM PRUDENT (USA), Plain Bay Farm: 0/66.31
4. CHIC HIN D HYRENCOURT: 2008 SBS gelding by Taran de la Pomme x Elanville
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/66.85
5. BULL RUN’S PRINCE OF PEACE: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Cardenio x Contender
KRISTEN VANDERVEEN (USA), Bull Run Jumpers Six LLC: 0/67.18
6. KINO: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Lord Z x Chambertin 3
KAREN POLLE (JPN), Kinoshita Group: 0/67.38
7. PRESENCE: 2008 Holsteiner stallion by Contendro II x Ulibra
MARIA COSTA (USA), Ravello Farms, LLC: 0/67.45
8. DICAS: 2009 Rheinlander gelding by Diarado x Cassini I
MARGIE ENGLE (USA), Storm Ridge Capital LLC, Show Horses, Garber & Gladewinds Partners LLC: 0/67.58
9. ACUERO: 2010 Hanoverian gelding by Acorado x Citoka
ALONSO VALDEZ PRADO (PER), Alonso Valdez Prado: 0/68.15
10. UBILUC: 2012 Mecklenburg stallion by Ubiko x Lucian
DANIEL BLUMAN (ISR), Over The Top Stables LLC: 0/68.22
11. CASANOVA 499: 2011 Holsteiner gelding by Clarimo x Wencke
JESSICA MENDOZA (GBR), Carly Day: 0/68.55
12 BINGO DU PARC: 2011 Selle Français gelding by Mylord Carthago *HN x Diamant de Semilly
HARRIE SMOLDERS (NED), COPERNICUS STABLES, LLC: 0/69.18
Samantha Thren Pilots Always Sunny to the Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Championship
The Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter division wrapped up on Thursday in Ring 12 after two days of competition. Samantha Thren, of West Chester, PA, and her own Always Sunny were crowned champions. The duo earned two firsts and three second place ribbons.
Thren has been developing her partnership with the 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Lawyer Ron for the past three years. This was the pair’s last time showing before they return to Pennsylvania for the remainder of the winter, and they made sure to end with a tricolor win.
“I didn’t want a Thoroughbred at first,” explained Thren. “I was looking for my first horse for myself to buy after college, and I came across him and didn’t realize he was a Thoroughbred. I’m really glad I got him because doing the Thoroughbred Hunters has been a ton of fun! He is such a good boy and has such a good brain. We are supposed to go home this weekend so this was our last hurrah.”
Thren rode Always Sunny to win an over fences class on the first day of the division, and they also took home a blue ribbon in the under saddle. The pair hopes to continue their success in the Thoroughbred Hunter division for the rest of the year.
“I definitely want to keep doing the Thoroughbred Hunter classes,” commented Thren. “I wanted to come down and do the division here to promote the Thoroughbreds, especially for amateurs because I think they are an affordable option and I think people should realize that they are fun to ride.”
This year was the first time that both Thren and Always Sunny had the opportunity to show at WEF, and they are hoping it is not the last time. Although Thren is sad to be leaving, the rider is thrilled that she had the opportunity to come and show her own horse.
“My experience was amazing,” said Thren. “I’ve been coming down with friends for years but I’ve never come with my own horse or thought that I could. This year I was actually able to get here. It’s been awesome, and I’m really sad that I have to go home!”
Not far behind in points were Julie Curtin, of Woodstock, GA, and Daniel Robertshaw’s Rapporteur, who took home the reserve championship. The pair received two firsts, a second, and two third place ribbons.
Friday’s competition will feature the $150,000 Nations Cup, presented by Premier Equestrian, in the International Arena with the first round starting at 4:30 p.m., followed by the second round at 7:30 p.m. Equitation competition will continue with the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 3* in the DeNemethy Ring.