Articles: Press Release
Victoria Birdsall Caps off the Hampton Classic Horse Show with a Win in the
$25,000 Carolex Show Jumping Derby
Contact:
Contact: Meg Schermerhorn, (508) 698-6810, meg@classic-communications.com
Bridgehampton, NY-August 30, 2009- Victoria Birdsall of Topsfield, MA.,
topped the $25,000 Carolex Show Jumping Derby with a lightning fast
performance riding Jerremy, owned by Natalie Johnson.
The 34th Hampton Classic, one of the nation's premier show jumping
competitions, culminates on Sunday, August 30. The Classic hosts
hunter/jumper competition for riders ranging from the youngest competitors
in Leadline and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to Olympic veterans in
the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix. Entered in the show are McLain Ward and Chris
Kappler, members of the United States' 2004 Gold Medal Olympic show jumping
team, as well as legendary riders such as Olympian and Hall-of-Famer Joe
Fargis.
The Carolex Derby, a member event of the Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame
Jumper Classic Series, was moved to Jumper Ring II due to the inclement
weather on Saturday, thus saving the field for the featured event, the
$250,000 FTI Grand Prix to take place later in the afternoon. The field of
28 in the Carolex Derby yielded only eight for the jump-off in which five
had clean rounds. The first clear was negotiated by Callie Bass and Zorro's
Precision MBA setting the pace with a time of 38.216 seconds. Alexandra
Thornton had two in the jump-off and learned from the rail she incurred on
Ostara, going clear the second time in the ring with Naomi, both owned by
Dunwalke, LLC, in a time of 41.403. Philip Richter and Coker Farm's Glasgow
turned in the third clean round, posting a time of 38.875 with two left to
ride. Birdsall and Jerremy rode next and took the lead blazing around the
course in 36.558 seconds leaving only Tracey Weinberg and Cromwell with a
chance to steal the Derby. Unfortunately, Cromwell stumbled on the next to
the last fence. The pair managed to keep the rails up, but finished in
36.954, good enough for second place. Pacesetters Bass and Zorro's
Precision MBA were third.
Birdsall was thrilled with her win. "I am usually a little conservative,
but I really wanted to win this and have a good finish at the Hampton
Classic so I just went for it," said the 16 -year-old.
"He is such a good horse and he tried really hard," Birdsall said of her
18-year-old gelding. "I knew he wanted to win and I wanted to win so we
just went for it and we did it!"
Weinberg was a little disappointed, but still happy with the results. "I'm
thrilled," said Weinberg. "It is a dream come true to do well here at the
Classic. I won this class two years ago on Linda Z and to come in second
today is just great."
Weinberg did not go home empty handed. She was crowned the Amateur-Owner
Jumper Champion with Cromwell, owned by the Weinberg Brokerage Group. The
Carolex Derby also put Birdsall and Jerremy on top to win the Junior Jumper
Championship.
Other Hampton Classic Championship honors presented on Sunday were:
Grand Hunter Champion (tie) Sambalino, owned by Gina Day
Smart Pak, owned by Meredith
Bross
Leading Hunter Rider: Emily Williams
Leading Junior Rider: Jessica Springsteen
Leading Junior Equitation Rider: Jessica Springsteen
National Open Jumper Champion: McLain Ward
Those unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity to see it
on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long Island television station of the
Hampton Classic, will broadcast up to five hours of competition and
highlights each day during the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen
online at www.wvvh.tv.
The Classic is also receiving extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM, the
official radio station of the Hampton Classic. WLIU is broadcasting
broadcast updates daily throughout the Classic as well as live programs from
the Classic through Sunday, August 30.
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