Articles: Horse News

Contact:
Lindsay McCall for Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

East Aurora, NY and Wellington, FL - February 22, 2010 - On Sunday, Charlie Jacobs, Principal Owner of the National Hockey League team, The Boston Bruins, took on 46 competitors in the $50,000 CN Jumping Derby at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Stadium. Jacobs and his 10-year-old Oldenburg Quidditch II were one of only three competitors to go clean over the long derby course, designed by Richard Jeffery. Jacobs completed the course in 138.17 seconds, securing his win over Shane Sweetnam and Little Emir.

The derby was challenging for many of the horses and rider combinations. Jacobs explained, "When I think of a derby I think about the amount of time it will take and how there will be many obstacles to maneuver. When walking the course Sunday, many of the riders may have thought about how the jumps didn't seem that large, around a 1.45 m, but then when they started galloping the course, it became a real test of endurance on both the horse and the rider. "

Jacobs competed with two young horses in the derby Quidditch II and his green, eight-year-old, Leap of Joy. Jacobs was very excited about his win and was also happy with how the course rode. "It was really special to have this big victory, but it was also unexpected. Regardless of where we placed, I was so happy with how Quidditch II rode over the course. She is definitely a horse that has some bigger days ahead of her."

Quidditch II and Jacobs have only been a team for a short time. Buying her from the United Kingdom in September, and then shipping her directly to Florida, Jacobs has made a big effort to get to know her. He made the trip from New York to Florida quite often so he could flat Quidditch II and forge a relationship with her. Once the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began, he started her in the Amateur-Owner Medium before moving up to the High Amateur's where they earned a second in the $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame class.

Throughout WEF Jacobs has been challenging his young horses, especially Quidditch II, to build up their stamina and physical body. He started out this week by winning the $2,500 High Amateur-Owner Jumper with Quidditch II. Then with a one-day break Jacobs was able to approach the stadium course eager to compete. "I have the opportunity to ride at our family's lovely farm, gallop the large fields, and jump fences that simulate the derby fences," explained Jacobs. "I like to give my horses a 20-30 minute heavy cardio workout to prepare them for each class. Then when my horse needs rest I send her to the farm to relax, roll in the grass, and just be a horse."

After WEF, Jacobs, will be staying in Florida through the winter and spring, and then will be taking his three top mounts Secret Love, Leap of Joy, and Quidditch II to Lake Placid, and Vermont.