Welles and Cheska Victorious in $15,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper Series Finals

Photo Credit: Cara Cheska and My Fair Lady, winners of the SJHOF Series Amateur-Owner Jumper Final. Photo (c) 2006 Peter Llewellyn/PMG Pictures.

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Wellington, FL - December 3, 2006 - At the 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival, the Internationale Arena hosted five championship finals before the main feature, the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship final phase. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series hosted two separate $15,000 finals for junior and amateur-owner jumpers. Jules Welles and Felix des Noues capped off an extremely successful junior career with the win the junior final. Cara Cheska and My Fair Lady had an vindicating win in the Amateur-Owner class.

The Young Jumper Championship International also hosted three separate finals to wrap up their year of competition for Five Year Old, Six Year Old, and Seven & Eight Year Old divisions. Laura Kraut and Uno 002 won the Five Year Old championship, while Sergio Campos and Sandhya raced to the win in the Six Year Old championship. Robert Kraut and Accordian were the third young jumper crowned a champion in the Seven & Eight Year Old division.

Julies Welles of West Simsbury, CT, rode Felix des Noues for her trainer, Missy Clark, to the junior jumper win today. It is her final show as a junior rider, but she is looking forward to making a change. "Maclay Finals kind of seemed like the end of it because you're done with equitation, but jumpers will go on forever. I've been a junior for a long time now, so I'm ready to transition into the next step," she explained. "I can't afford to own any of my own horses, so I'm turning professional, and I'll work for Missy Clark. She's going to let me ride a few of her horses in the jumpers. I'm ready. No one is going to change; everybody is still going to be around. It's just different classes and different people competing against you."

In the class today, Welles and Aimee Aron on Jamaica were the only two clear rounds to compete in the jump-off. Since Welles went first, she tried to put down a very fast round to put the pressure on Aron. It resulted in an error for four faults at the first of the one stride. She finished in a time of 29.822 seconds.

Aron and Jamaica entered the ring next. They took a conservative approach for the clear round, but that plan was dashed when they had a light rub at the same jump Welles had. Aron finished with four faults and a slower time of 32.171 seconds.

"We got lucky," Welles admitted. "I made a mistake in the jump-off and had a rail. Aimee was cautious and tried to go clear and had a rail too. Luck was in our favor today. This is my last junior jumper class on him, and it was a good way to end."

Cheska and My Fair Lady were the last pair to return for the jump-off in the SJHOF Amateur-Owner final. Chloe Wormer and Modra (Cheska's old horse) went in first with a nice clear round in 33.578 seconds. Charlie Jacobs and Pia entered next for the fastest time of the jump-off, but they had a rail for four faults. Louis Jacobs and Kachina entered next and took the lead in 31.399 seconds. Cheska and My Fair Lady then tore around the course for a clear round in a time of 29.973 seconds.

After the awards presentation, Cheska had tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her face. "I'm just really happy for the horse. I always set myself up and disappoint myself when I set goals. I just really wanted to do well here. I'm happy and relieved at the same time," she said. "I've been coming here for a few years to the National in Wellington, and I haven't done well and instead of just saying give the horse a break and start up again in January, I thought I would give it one more try. I did, and it paid off. I'm just really happy for because she tries really hard and she deserves to win."

Cheska purchased My Fair Lady, also known in the barn as "Bug," from grand prix rider Aaron Vale, who rode her to five wins in the grand prix classes. "She was very used to him, and we ride so different. He's a genius and is so effective. He can make any horse jump a clear round from anywhere. I was not sure I could fill his stirrups," she acknowledged. "It took us a few shows to figure each other out. She's a tense mare, and she can be a little quirky. Once you know how to get her ready, it's not hard. She just needs to be relaxed and take a deep breath."

Cheska figured her 11 year old Oldenburg mare had the speed to win the class. "I know my mare is fast, but I can get running and run her into one. I just went as fast as I could. I was yelling down the last line because she jumped so high over [fence] b that she got away from me. I kept kicking, and she dug deep and got there for me," she remembered. "I didn't know if I was faster, but at the last jump in the air I was staring at the timers. I looked away because I was afraid it was going to say four [faults]. When I looked up again, it said first. That's a nice memory to have."

This was Cheska's first win in the class and the SJHOF series, and they finished as the reserve champions in the division, tied with Charlie Jacobs and Pia. The division championship went to Kachina and Louis Jacobs.

Young Jumper Championship International Finals

The YJCI Five Year Old victory went to Uno 002 and Laura Kraut, who rode for Mary Moricoli. The Five Year Old class saw six clear rounds advance to the jump-off, which was an optimum time format. Horses had to be under the 34 second time allowed and whichever horse was closest to the 30 second optimum time was the winner. Kraut and Uno 002 finished in 30.303 seconds. Kraut and Uno 002 won the first class in the division this week as well. The total prize money given in this division was $20,000.

Kraut did not worry about taking the young Uno out onto the large, grass field. "I was very confident with the horse going out on the field because he is so brave, and he was out here this winter when Mary rode him in the Seniors. I knew he wouldn't be spooky or difficult. He's such an outstanding horse," she said. Moricoli added, "I'm shaking inside. I couldn't even hold my camera, I was so excited."

The optimum time format was not a favorite among exhibitors or spectators. "I was a little disappointed to find out it was optimum time. I didn't know that. I'm not a fan of optimum time, particularly at a championship," she remarked. "They've had a full year of jumping, and it just didn't make sense. Hopefully, they're going to change that because nobody likes it. I think everybody feels it's sort of an anti-event. It worked to my advantage today."

Another double winner in the YJCI this week was Sandhya, owned by the Mill Creek Stables of Canada and ridden by Sergio Campos. The pair have only been together for a few weeks, but Campos felt her innate speed would give her a top ribbon today. The Six Year Olds competed for a total division purse of $30,000 this week.

Campos went third in the jump-off out of six horses. They were the only ones to attempt the inside turn across the ring to the one stride. It paid off when they set an unbeatable time of 32.103 seconds.

"She's very fast. She can do those tight turns like no other horse," he exclaimed. "She also qualified in the Canadian Young Jumper Championship as a four and five year old. She's been great. She's my favorite horse to ride right now. She doesn't ride green at all. She's a very honest, straightforward horse, no tricks, no hard times or anything. She's very willing to do anything I ask her to do."

The Seven & Eight Year Old class win went to Accordian, ridden by Robert Kraut for Happy Hill Farm.

Kraut rode third out of nine in the jump-off. They made an inside turn to the one stride and then galloped around the water jump to the final oxer. They finished in a time of 32.390 seconds, which held up for the win.

Kraut knew that the jump-off, which featured two long parts in which to gallop, would suit Accordian. "There were a lot of fast horses behind me, and I know that my horse really likes to gallop. It was a nice big galloping type of course, and it just kind of fit into what he does best," he said. "He rolls along with it. I felt really comfortable in the jump-off, so I thought I'd just go."

Accordian has been with Kraut since he was five years old and has shown in the YJCI program every year. Next year's plans include more competition as an eight year old in the young jumpers and some classes at the 1.40m height. "I want to keep his sights kept high. I love him; he's great. I think he'll be a grand prix horse for me," Kraut mentioned. "I really want to thank my owners Peter Wetherill and Happy Hill Farm. They've been very supportive with my riding career and keeping me in good horses."

NHS Children's and Palm Beach Daily News Adult Jumper Finals

The $5,000 Palm Beach Daily News Adult Jumper Final was the opening class in the deNemethy Arena today. Twelve riders posted clear rounds to moved to the timed jump-off course designed by Philip J. DeVita.

The winner of yesterday's class returned to take home the blue ribbon today in the final. Robin Swinderman of Ocala, FL, and Lord Byron Z raced to the win. Lord Byron Z proved that even at 15 years old, he had the energy to keep winning. Lord Byron Z also overcame a terrible accident 15 months ago to his foot, but through the help of vets and farriers, he has been able to show again. Swinderman trains with Bob Braswell and Christina Schlusemeyer. The winning pair also took home the division championship.

The winner of the NHS Children's Jumper Final and the division championship was Power Point, ridden by Michael Danner of Tampa, FL, and owned by Erin Stewart. Danner has trained with Don Stewart Jr. in Ocala, FL, for five months. While their focus was on equitation through the finals at indoors, Danner made the move to the jumpers after their last equitation final. He has only ridden Power Point for a few weeks.

"I couldn't have a better horse," Danner said. "He's really easy. He just drags you around and does what he wants to do. He knows how to win. I just kind of sit there!" Danner has found that he enjoys riding in a new division. "I like the jumpers. It's a little less stressful and more easygoing," he said with a smile.

Today's competition drew the 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival to a close. It was an action-packed five days that saw an increase in the number of competitors and everyone looks forward to planning for next year's show.

 

Results of Class 1204 SJHOF JUNIOR CLASSIC

National Horse Show - December 3, 2006

 

1 415 FELIX DES NOUES JULIE WELLES 0.00 73.589 4.00 29.822 $750

MISSY CLARK

2 94 JAMAICA AIMEE ARON 0.00 74.299 4.00 32.171 $435

AIMEE ARON

T3 319 JUBULENT HAYLIE JAYNE 4.00 70.340 $302

ALEX R. JAYNE

T3 407 RIVER CORTRIGHT WETHERILL 4.00 71.490 $302

CORTRIGHT WETHERILL

T5 522 CASSINO Z LAUREN STURGES 8.00 65.800 $210

LAUREN STURGES

T5 523 CORLETT HEATHER DOBBS 8.00 78.352 $210

HEATHER DOBBS

T7 625 MAYFAIR JACK HARDIN TOWELL J 12.00 73.469 $96

CASEY BRANSCOMB

T7 179 KADORIJKE ALEX PARRISH 12.00 70.489 $96

ALEXANDER FARM

T7 183 KENZO DESFI NICK DELLO JOIO 12.00 73.863 $96

WEMBLEY FARMS

10 330 AZUCAR VIRGINIA MCNEIL 16.00 73.376

VIRGINIA MCNEIL

11 496 CHER 14 CATIE BOONE 24.00 73.410

CATIE BOONE

T12 227 IVRESSE JULIANNA FISCHER elim.

JULIANNA FISCHER

T12 295 HERTEL LANDMAN ALI WOLFF elim.

ALI WOLFF

Horse Name NAT R1 Faults R1 Time J/O Faults J/O Time

Results of 1104 - SJHOF AMATEUR OWNER JUMPER

National Horse Show - December 3, 2006

1 177 MY FAIR LADY CARA CHESKA 0.00 75.630 0.00 29.973 $2000

CARA CHESKA

2 124 KACHINA LOUIS JACOBS 0.00 73.050 0.00 31.399 $1200

DEERIDGE FARM

3 178 MODRA CHLOE WORMSER 0.00 72.592 0.00 33.578 $1000

CHLOE WORMSER

4 130 PIA CHARLIE JACOBS 0.00 72.687 4.00 29.087 $850

DEERIDGE FARM

T5 212 LORAINE 18 SAMANTHA TUERK 4.00 74.103 $680

SAMANTHA TUERK

T5 328 KISS ME DES JONCS MEGAN JOHNSTONE 4.00 71.778 $680

STONEY HILL

T5 419 TITUS JESSICA SPEISER 4.00 72.822 $680

JESSICA SPEISER

T5 463 BLUE OKKELS REBECCA HOFMANN 4.00 76.807 $680

BLUE HILL FARM LLC

T5 186 JACKSON ASHLEY BAKER 4.00 75.472 $680

ASHLEY BAKER

T10 572 VICTORIA DEZELLICK RANDALL JOHNSON 8.00 75.678 $387

T10 46 CASH-FLOW KATRINA WOODS 8.00 70.778 $387

KATRINA WOODS

T10 320 URBANUS CHARLIE JAYNE 8.00 72.063 $387

ALEX R. JAYNE

T10 658 AUDIS NIGEL ANDRES RODRIGUEZ 8.00 73.192 $387

ANDRES RODRIGUEZ

 

Results of 1503 - FIVE YO YJC INTL - National Horse Show - December 3,
2006

1 74 UNO LAURA KRAUT 0.00 71.481 0.00 30.303 $2000

MARY MORICOLI

2 41 ADONIS DARRAGH KERINS 0.00 71.893 0.00 30.311 $1200

NATALIE NICODEMA

3 233 ONNO Z SERGIO CAMPOS 0.00 70.632 0.00 31.102 $1000

RAE MARIE KENNEDY

4 34 BRISCO NIALL GRIMES 0.00 65.598 0.00 31.223 $850

AMANDA DINSMORE

5 38 SOLOMON JONATHAN MCCREA 0.00 69.831 0.00 33.265 $750

BRIDGET IMPARATO

6 18 UNO NIALL GRIMES 0.00 71.073 2.00 35.410 $750

H & M STABLES

7 60 UTMOST ISF KATE GERHART 0.00 69.510 4.00 31.371 $650

CATHY GERHART

8 31 HIDDEN CREEK'S REMARKABLE JUDY GAROFALO TORRES 4.00 68.904 $650

HIDDEN CREEK FARM

9 216 BALOUME Z PABLO BARRIOS 4.00 69.753 $600

RONALD KRISE

10 98 FOR ROSA'S PLEASURE JUAN ORTIZ 4.00 72.401 $550

SHER AL FARM

11 37 CHALUPA AMANDA FLINT 4.00 77.161 $500

RORY HOVELL

12 10 FEATURE ATTRACTION 3E ROBERTO TERAN 8.00 66.966 $500

KING RIDGE STABLES

 

Results of Class 1504 6 YO YJC INVITATIONAL - National Horse Show -
December 3, 2006

1 663 MILL CREEK SANDHYA SERGIO CAMPOS 0.00 63.993 0.00 32.103 $6000

MILL CREEK STABLES

2 86 HIGH SOCIETY DARRAGH KERINS 0.00 66.508 0.00 32.623 $4000

RALPH CARISTO

3 102 QUILMES HOLLY SHEPHERD 0.00 68.787 0.00 34.404 $2400

SARAH PATTERSON

4 19 THE WHO NIALL GRIMES 0.00 69.425 0.00 35.210 $2000

ALICIA HOUSE

5 69 GREY GOOSE RONAN MCGUIGAN 0.00 66.011 4.00 31.107 $1500

BLYTHE MASTERS

6 8 ENCORE 3E ROBERTO TERAN 0.00 67.407 4.00 32.466 $1200

KING RIDGE STABLES

7 40 BLUE DANUBE DARRAGH KERINS 4.00 62.238 $1000

TATRA FARM

8 259 TURBO JONATHAN MCCREA 4.00 64.480 $800

CANDY TRIBBLE

9 39 MOET WALK AARON VALE 4.00 66.042 $600

TATRA FARM

10 55 BLAST OFF TIFFANY CORNACCHIO 4.00 66.843 $500

KATE GOODMAN

11 9 EXECUTIVE PRIVILIGE 3E ROBERTO TERAN 4.00 66.976

KING RIDGE STABLES

12 234 MONKEY DU PARC SERGIO CAMPOS 4.00 67.840

DIANNA RODOLPHO

 

Results of CLASS 1509 - 7 & 8 YO YJC INTL - National Horse Show - -
December 3, 2006

T/A: 74.00 T/A: 40.00

1 75 ACCORDIAN ROBERT KRAUT 0.00 66.388 0.00 32.390 $750

HAPPY HILL FARM

2 21 PALM SUNDAY YVONNE BRYAN 0.00 65.477 0.00 32.524 $435

AMEN CORNERS FM

3 43 LACONGO NONA GARSON 0.00 65.617 0.00 34.984 $335

THE RIDGE FARMLLC

4 6 DISTANT STAR ROBERTO TERAN 0.00 65.379 4.00 30.902 $270

KING RIDGE STABLES

5 84 VICTOR III SHANE SWEETNAM 0.00 64.731 4.00 31.791 $240

LVS GROUP

6 321 VARNESE CHARLIE JAYNE 0.00 65.192 4.00 33.583 $180

ALEX R. JAYNE

7 2 VERSAILLES HOLLY MITTEN 0.00 67.272 4.00 34.211 $145

WASSIC LLC.

8 42 WITNEY VAN BERKENBROEK KATE LEVY 0.00 64.430 6.00 41.781 $145

KATE LEVY

9 215 CURIOSO Z PABLO BARRIOS 0.00 68.517 8.00 31.358

RONALD KRISE

10 485 QUICK STUDY LAUREN HOUGH 0.00 69.937 8.00 43.166

LAURA MATEO

11 93 SAVANNA B AIMEE ARON 4.00 67.384

KINLOCH ENT.

12 66 QENA II COLIN J. SYQUIA 4.00 67.947

LADSON LLC