Articles: Horse News
United States Places Fifth in FEI Nations Cup at CSIO-W Buenos Aires
U.S. rider Charlie Jacobs wins Ericsson Grand Prix with Leap of Joy
Charlie Jacobs and Leap of Joy won the Ericsson Grand Prix at the CSIO-W
Buenos Aires. Photo By: Haras El Capricho
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Rebecca Walton for
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Buenos Aires, Argentina -November 28, 2011 - The United States Show Jumping
Team finished fifth during the FEI Nations Cup at CSIO-W Buenos Aires in
Argentina held November 25, 2011 at Haras El Capricho, with 29 faults. The
Jumping team included Charlie Jacobs of Buffalo, NY, aboard Leap of Joy, Ali
Wolff of New Albany, OH, with Blacklick Bend Farm's Lanoo, Cara Anthony of
Redmond, WA, riding Potcreek Partners, LLC's Woodpecker de Villars, and Cara
Raether of Bedford, NY, aboard Trelawny Farm's Lyonell. Jacobs also won
three individual classes, including the Ericsson Grand Prix with Leap of Joy
and the Nissan International Speed Derby with Flaming Star.
Following a strong first round of competition, the United States Show
Jumping Team, competing in the FEI Nations Cup at CSIO-W Buenos Aires on
Friday, had to settle for a fifth place at the end of the day. Three of the
U.S. horse and rider combinations, Jacobs and Leap of Joy, Anthony with
Woodpecker de Villars and Raether on Lyonell, all had four faults in round
one. The first round drop score was that of Lanoo and Wolff who had two
knockdowns. The team total of 12 faults had the US squad sitting seven
faults off the lead in third place following the first round of action.
In round two, Anthony was the best for the United States, picking up just a
single knockdown, while Jacobs had a rail and what turned out to be a costly
time fault. Wolff duplicated her first round score of eight faults and
Raether had the drop score in round two with 20 faults. Canada claimed the
Nations Cup victory, while Argentina 1 and Brazil 1 tied for second place
with 26 faults. Fourth place went to Chile with 28 and the United States
finished fifth with 29 total faults.
"We had a great trip with the exception of the Nation's Cup on Friday, we
just couldn't catch a break," explained Jacobs. "It was tough going for us,
but couldn't seem to get any luck on our side. Chef d'Equipe John Madden
knew that we all wanted it really badly and we just needed to focus our
energy on being calm and poised. It was good advice; he was a great coach."
On Sunday, Jacobs topped off a great week by claiming the victory in the
Ericsson Grand Prix with Leap of Joy. The pair completed a clear first
round, and was the first to return for the four-horse jump-off. Once again
they left all the fences standing, setting the unbeatable pace at 43.77
seconds. Canada's Angela Lawrence came the closest to catching Jacobs,
finishing second after crossing the finish line without fault riding
Utan. Their time of 44.84 seconds was over a second off of the winning pace
set by Jacobs. Wolff also advanced to the short course, but a costly rail
with Lanoo, eventually earned fourth.
"Leap of Joy was spectacular today," said Jacobs. "Olaf Petersen did the
courses, and this is a World Cup Qualifier, so it was a meaty course. There
were over 40 horses and only four jumped clean. I had to go first in the
jump-off and I knew the riders behind me were really fast, so I had to lay a
good lick down and do my best, and I was fortunate that my horses responded
really well."
Earlier in the week, Jacobs piloted his second mount Flaming Star to victory
as well, winning the 1.45m Open Jumper class on Thursday, and then the
Nissan International Speed Derby on Saturday.
"Flaming Star was full of energy, even in this heat," noted Jacobs. "We had
a long course, with over 15 obstacles in a big field, during the Speed Derby
and he held up wonderfully. He did a great job of keeping his composure."
Jacobs concluded, "It's a great honor to represent the United States, and a
real privilege to be a part of this group. There were a lot of great people
here and I really hope I have the opportunity to do it again soon."
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the
non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching,
travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing
international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the
United States Equestrian Federation.
For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or
visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.
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