For Immediate Release
Jennifer Wood and Summer Grace for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL — January 20, 2019 — The final day of week 2 on Sunday, January 20, at the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) featured two major classes in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Starting out in the morning, Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and El Milagro’s Caracas captured the top prize in the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix. The winner of the $36,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.45m Classic was 19-year-old Shota Ogomori (JPN) riding SIG Captain America. The 12-week WEF circuit features hunter, jumper, and equitation competition and continues through March 31, 2019, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Shota Ogomori and SIG Captain America. Photo © Sportfot
While week 2 has concluded, there is still more top equestrian competition to come. Week 3 at WEF, sponsored by Adequan®, runs January 23-27 and features the $134,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, January 26, at “Saturday Night Lights.”
Out of 77 entries in the first round of the $36,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.45m Classic, nine found the path to a clear round. In the jump-off, there were five double clears, led by the fastest time of 37.26 seconds set by Ogomori on SIG Captain America, owned by SIG International Inc. Ogomori went seventh out of nine in the jump-off and was able to keep a blazing pace throughout the shortened course.
Second in the class went to Luiz Francisco de Azevedo (BRA) on Collin, owned by Santa Cecilia Stables. They were clear in 37.53 seconds, missing the top time by just 3/100ths of a second. Andrew Welles (USA) and Brindis Bogibo, owned by Itasca Group LLC, were third in 38.72 seconds with no faults.
Ogomori celebrated his first big win at WEF on Sunday. The young rider from Torrance, CA, trains with Canadian grand prix rider Chris Pratt, and this is his third year competing at WEF. He got into riding through his father Nobu Ogomori, who competed in show jumping and was a coach.
Click here to watch the winning jump-off ride for Shota Ogomori and SIG Captain America!
While Ogomori bought SIG Captain America as a five-year-old, he did not take over the ride until June of 2018.
“AGerman rider, Felix Hassmann, rode him for me for awhile,”explained Ogomori of the 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Captain Firex Collin L.“Last year was the first time that I rodehim, building him up slowly from the 1.30m, 1.40m, until now.He’s great. He’s super careful, fast, really competitive,and has a good heart.”
Shota Ogomori and SIG Captain America with Laura Southard, Brand Ambassador for CaptiveOne Advisors. Photo © Sportfot
Coming into the jump-off Ogomori changed his plan. “Chris [Pratt] mentioned that the first line had to be seven[strides]. The original plan was eight, but everybody was doing seven, so we changed the plan there. Then just go! Just gallop between the lines and make sure that the turn back to [fence] 10 was as tidy as possible.”
Ogomori gained his first championship experience in 2018 at the Asian Gamesin Jakarta, where he represented Japan and won the individual silver medal with SIG Iron Man. “Hopefully we can start qualifying for [the Tokyo Olympics],” he said.
Final Results: $36,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.45m Classic
1 SIG CAPTAIN AMERICA: 2009 Westphalian gelding by Captain Fire x Collin L
SHOTA OGOMORI (JPN), SIG International: 0/0/37.26
2 COLLIN: 2007 KWPN gelding by Colandro x Amethist
LUIZ FRANCISCO DE AZEVEDO (BRA), Santa Cecelia Stables: 0/0/37.53
3 BRINDIS BOGIBO: 2006 KWPN gelding by Grand Pilot I x Pacific
ANDREW WELLES (USA), Itasca Group LLC: 0/0/38.72
4 EVER D’HOOGPOORT: 2010 Belgian Sport Horse mare by Clinton x Nabab de Reve
KEVIN MEALIFF (IRL), McLain Ward: 0/0/39.21
5 CHACCOLETTE: 2009 mare by Chacco Blue
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonette Farm LLC: 0/0/39.54
6 COACH: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Con Air x Corofino I
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/4/38.19
7 MTF SAINT SIMEON: 2007 Selle Francais mare by de Calvaro x Major de la Cour
CONNOR HUSAIN (USA), Morningside Training Farm: 0/4/38.68
8 UPPER: 2008 Selle Francais gelding by Diamant de Semilly x Nadir de San Patrignano
DAVID OBERKIRCHER (USA), Southfields Farm LLC: 0/4/40.04
9 DUBAI: 2009 KWPN mare by Eurocommerce Dubai x Calvados Ex Sable Rose
JESSICA MENDOZA (GBR), Jessica Mendoza: 0/8/39.881
10 CLASSIC ROC: 2009 Continental Warmblood gelding by Roc USA x Flying Pidgeon
NICK NOVAK (USA), Nancy Whitehead: 1/74.02
11 ISHD DUAL STAR: 2002 Irish Sport Horse mare by Quick Star x Concorde
LAURA CHAPOT (USA), Mary Chapot: 4/68.58
12 SHARAPOVA IMPERIO EGIPICIO: 2002 Brazilian mare by Baloubet du Rouet x Welton Ambassador
FRANCISCO JOSE MESQUITA MUSA (BRA), Daniel Aguiar Morelli: 4/69.25
Eugenio Garza Perez and Caracas Speed to the U25 Win
The first Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix of the season was held as the first class in the International Arena on Sunday and had 44 entries competing over a course designed by Oscar Soberon of Mexico. Six were clear to advance to the jump-off.
Eugenio Garza Perez and Caracas. Photo © Sportfot
Taking the top prize in the $25,000 class was Eugenio Garza Perez and Caracas, who flew through the timers in the jump-off with no faults in a time of 38.08 seconds. They were chasing the time of 38.41 seconds set by second place finishers Ailish Cunniffe (USA) and Whipstick Farm Ltd’s Baloucento 2. Third place went to Manuel Fernandez Hache (DOM), who rode Divin du Haras des Barrages, owned by Aristides Fernandez Zucco, to a clear round in 41.97 seconds.
“I think Caracas is a very fast horse. He covers a lot of ground and doesn’t take a lot of time at the jump. I was lucky enough to go at the end,” said Garza of his jump-off ride. “I got to see these two guys go. I saw Ailish go, and I knew she’s very fast; I’ve gone up against [her] many times. She’s really fast, so we knew we had to give it our best and Caracas was there with me every step of the way and we had a good run.”
Garza (22), started showing Caracas in October of 2018. “He’s a relatively new horse,” he said of the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cachas.“He’s a real winner. He’s extremely careful; he’s brave. He’s an all-around really nice horse, and I am really lucky to have him.”
For 21-year-old Cunniffe, the Hermès U25 Grand Prix series gives her the perfect opportunity to compete at a high level while also being a full-time student at Southern Methodist University.
Ailish Cunniffe and Baloucento 2. Photo © Sportfot
“I only come here every other weekend,” she explained. “I’ve been doing the series for four years now; it’s an amazing series. It is a really good step in between the high amateurs or high juniors and the doing the upper level classes against really top riders, especially here in Florida.”
Also riding a newer horse in the U25 grand prix was Fernandez Hache (24). He and Divin du Haras des Barrages started together in October. “We did a few classes in December before I went back home for the holidays, and we just got back and this is our first time out,” he said. “I think we are getting to know each other a lot more, and I think he is a very competitive horse. We will see how far we can get.”
Manuel Fernandez Hache and Divin du Haras des Barrages. Photo © Sportfot
Eugenio Garza Perez and Caracas in their winning presentation with James Sardelli, Hermès Senior Equestrian Account Executive, and ringmaster Steve Rector. Photo © Sportfot
“Thank you to Hermès for being the sponsor and supporting the sport for under 25 [riders],” said Fernandez Hache, who is competing in his third and final year of the series. “I think it is a very good place where we can all move up and learn about the different atmospheres for jumping international classes. It is very, very competitive and very interesting. We get a better look at what really comes when we progress.”
Final Results: $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix
1 CARACAS: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Cachas
EUGENIO GARZA PEREZ (MEX), El Milagro: 0/0/38.07
2 BALOUCENTO 2: 2005 Oldenburg gelding by Baloubet du Rouet x Cento
AILISH CUNNIFFE (USA), Whipstick Farm Ltd: 0/0/38.40
3 DIVIN DU HARAS DES BARRAGES: 2009 gelding by Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Randel Z
MANUEL FERNANDEZ HACHE (DOM), Aristides Fernandez Zucco: 0/0/41.97
4 CARMEN: 2007 KWPN mare by Whitesnake x Corland
SAMANTHA COHEN (USA), Samantha Cohen: 0/4/39.50
5 ILIAS: 2008 Belgian Warmblood stallion by Emerald van’t Ruytershof x Ludwig von Bayern
ANNABEL REVERS (USA), Beechwood Stables LLC: 0/4/41.208
6 DYNAMIS KC: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Berlin x Heartbreaker
CAITLIN CREEL (USA), Caitlin Creel: 0/retired
7 FOR SERRANO SR: 2007 Holsteiner gelding by For Pleasure x Calato
ANNA BETH ATHEY (USA), Anna Beth Athey: 1/80.00
8 CASHEW CR: 2008 Holsteiner gelding by Cassini II x Quinar
ALEX MATZ (USA), D.D. Matz: 4/72.12
9 COPAIN Z: 2006 Zangersheide gelding by Calvino Z x Creool
CORMAC HANLEY (IRL), Heathman Farm, LLC: 4/72.57
10 HILGARIE: 2007 Belgian Warmblood mare by Calvaro x Kashmir van Schuttershof
SYDNEY SHULMAN (USA), Jill Shulman: 4/73.55
11 ARMAGEDDON: 2005 KWPN gelding by Solitair x Cavalier
TANNER KOROTKIN (USA), Sandalwood Farms: 4/74.13
12 ALETTA: 2005 KWPN mare by Sydney x Guidam
MARIA BRUGAL (DOM), Maria Brugal: 4/74.66
Stephanie Dankhl Takes Back to Back Victories in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35 Division
The Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35 riders wrapped their competition in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Field with a clean sweep for Stephanie Danhakl. Danhakl piloted both her new mount, Bright Side, and her veteran hunter, Golden Rule, to division champion and reserve respectively.
Danhakl has been in winning form since the start of circuit as she took home the division champion and reserve during Week 1 as well, but with Golden Rule taking the top title and Bright Side following. She and Bright Side, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Ultimo x Tiara), swept the competition as they earned the first place ribbon in all but two of the division classes. The gelding has not only consistently earned champion or reserve in the Amateur-Owner division, but was also champion during Week 1 and reserve in week 2 of the Green Hunter 3’6” division with Danhakl’s trainer, Scott Stewart.
She and her 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Golden Rule, held a top-five position in all but two of the division classes which was enough to secure the pair the reserve champion.
Stephanie Danhkl and Bright Side. Photo © Sportfot
Danhakl is extra pleased with the success of both horses as Bright Side has only been a part of her team for several weeks. “I just got him about a month ago and last week was my first time showing him,” she explained. “I’d really only jumped him probably two or three times prior to last week but he has all of the qualities you’d want in a top hunter.”
While Danhakl credits her success with Golden Rule to multiple years of partnership and practice, she is excited for future endeavors with Bright Side throughout the rest of the season.
“Golden Rule is an old pro, and he always goes out and tries his hardest,” she said, “but I’m really excited to develop a partnership with Bright Side. His jump is spectacular, and he gives you the most amazing feeling. He’s just so much fun to ride, and I’m really lucky to have him.”
The 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival continues on January 23-27 with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition.