Tiffany Foster is Fastest in The Estates at TerraNova FEI 1.45m 2* Grand Prix at TerraNova Winter Series IV
Foster is Fastest in The Estates at TerraNova FEI 1.45m 2* Grand Prix at TerraNova Winter Series IV
Tiffany Foster and Brighton win the $97,500 The Estates at TerraNova FEI 1.45m 2* Grand Prix at TerraNova Winter Series IV. Photo by EQ Media
Myakka City, Fla. - Thirty-three horse and rider combinations attempted Joey Rycroft’s (CAN) $97,500 The Estates at TerraNova FEI 1.45m 2* Grand Prix course in the Lakeside Arena this morning, but it was Canada’s Tiffany Foster and Brighton who bested a nine-horse jump off to secure the victory.
The track featured 16 jumping efforts with a time allowed of 85 seconds and began on a wide triple bar approachable on either lead away from the VIP Pavilion. Riders faced an oxer-vertical combination, a vertical-oxer-vertical combination, a four or five-stride to five-stride line, and a delicate plank at the final jump.
"I started off getting the horses on a nice gallop, and then I start to test a bit more,” said Rycroft. “We had some inclement weather yesterday, so I haven't actually seen the horses go. I’m not really pressing too much technicality, but I’ve built full height everywhere and there's enough challenge for the group of riders that we have.”
The short track, with a time allowed of 52 seconds and eight jumping efforts, featured a left-hand rollback from fence 11 to four, a one-stride combination, and a gallop up to the final fence.
“The jump off is very exciting,” said Rycroft. “There’s a nice inside turn possibility for the riders, a rollback around, and a gallop across the arena to finish. I would love to see Tiffany Foster come home with the win for my home team.”
Tiffany Foster and Brighton. Photo by EQ Media
And win she did.
Foster and Brighton (Contender II x Van Ed) entered the Lakeside Arena first in the order in both rounds, and proved quickest by more than two full seconds with a jump-off time of 41.20. In their eleventh winter season together, Foster and the 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood, owned by Artisan Farms LLC, are quite familiar with the winners' circle, but these days, Foster hand-selects a schedule tailored specifically to him.
"I try to pick venues that I know he will excel at,” said Foster. “He’s very experienced, so you can take him anywhere you want to go. I saw this date on the calendar and put it in for him. It suited him well, so I’m really glad I brought him!”
“He's a very quick horse, just naturally, and he sort of thrives off of a little bit of pace. I’ve found that whenever I go first with him, I usually go quite a bit, probably too much, under the time allowed. But it suits him and that’s what my plan was today,” said Foster “I just wanted to make sure I started fast enough because if I start fast with him I usually carry on fast. His ground speed is just incredible, he’s super efficient in the air over the jumps. He handled it great and stayed really concentrated to the last. I was really happy with him.”
The win marks Foster’s first trip to TerraNova.
“This is my first time here at TerraNova and I’m super impressed,” she said. “Everything is very well organized, the facility is incredible. I will definitely be back!”
Caroline Holmberg, Brighton's long-time groom, added, "I've seen almost every show ground, and TerraNova is definitely one of the nicest places we've been to. Every detail is perfect, from the barns to the washracks. We can't wait to come back!"
Kelly Arani and Mardinie jumped double clear for second. Photo by EQ Media
Following in second with a jump-off time of 43.45 seconds was Kelly Arani (Dover, MA, USA) aboard Marigot Bay Farm LLC’s Mardinie (Spartacus x Wardinie VDL).
"I've had her just over a year and she just keeps getting better and better,” said Arani of the twelve-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare . “She’s a mare, so she has her own opinions, but she's the sweetest thing and just wants to do a good job. She has a big stride, so using that and her scope and take it home really suited her which is exciting.”
Arani continued, “We’re based in Wellington. It gets to the end of the season and we just want something new, so we just brought two horses here to jump the two star and get a change of scenery. It's gorgeous here and the horses are so happy. She came out in top form.”
Rebecca Conway and Con Coleur finished in third. Photo by EQ Media
Rounding out the podium with a time of 44.01 seconds was Rebecca Conway (Wellington, FL, USA) and Blue Hill Farm LLC’s Con Coleur (Contendro I x Charlotta).
“I know him really well,” said Conway. “He’s an extremely quirky horse, but he keeps getting better with age. He’s fifteen years old now, and I’ve lived through all the triumphs and tears on him. At this point, every class that he gives me is a blessing.”
The TerraNova Winter Series is a staple in Conway’s calendar, and this year marks her second in attendance.
“My last trip here, I came with a group of clients. I love using these shows for my clients as a stepping stone, it's nice to come without such a busy pace and allow them to step up a level or two,” said Conway. “For my horses, it's a great place for them to come and freshen up and have a change of scenery.”
Watch Tiffany Foster's winning jump off!
Lucio and Shannon E. Hicks Win the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
Lucio and Shannon E. Hicks Win the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Michael Saunders & Company. Photo by EQ Media
The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Michael Saunders & Company, kicked off a busy Saturday at TerraNova Equestrian Center, with Lucio and Shannon E. Hicks (St. Louis, Missouri) securing the victory.
Six horse-and-rider combinations took on Mike Belisle’s first and second round tracks, with round one consisting of four high-options, a long approach single oxer, a one-stride combination, and the notable TerraNova hedge jump. Riders returning for the second round had the opportunity to take a handy inside turn to jump one, in addition to an option at fence six that allowed for two different tracks to jump seven.
In the end, it was Lucio (Legolas x Shakira IX) and Hicks who walked away victorious.
Though Lucio looked right at home in TerraNova’s Magnolia Ring, having scored an 89 in round one and a 92 in round two for a total score of 181, Helen Gilbert’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding only got his start in the hunters about a year and a half ago.
"We actually bought him to be a grand prix horse,” said Hicks. “He won the first grand prix I ever did, and then we didn't get another clean round. So we decided to make him a hunter, because he’s so pretty and he’s pretty slow. He’s been fairly successful!”
Hicks, who won the $20,000 Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby's International Realty 1.35m National Prix at TerraNova Winter III aboard Halo de Maugre, is partial to the jumper ring, but recognized Lucio’s talent and ability and decided to try redirecting him to the hunter ring.
Hannah Wu and Upgrade finished in second. Photo by EQ Media
"I don’t really like much about doing the hunters compared to the jumpers to be honest, but I appreciate any time there's a handy,” said Hicks. “When he’s in his zone he’s the easiest horse in the world to ride. You don't have to ever touch the reins, you just plod along. So he’s really a good horse to ride.”
Hicks spent much of her winter circuit in Myakka City for the TerraNova Winter Series shows, and notes that it was an overall success in both rings
"Showing at TerraNova – it’s fabulous,” she said. “The rings are so big and expansive and you can do so many good things– long lines, three in a row, it’s just fabulous.”
Mackenzie Suffy and Lammtarra rounded out the top three. Photo by EQ Media
Finishing in second place was Hannah Wu aboard Upgrade on a total score of 147, while Mackenzie Suffy followed behind in third aboard Lammtarra with a total score of 133.
Hear from Shannon E. Hicks about her winning round!
Daniel Geaney and Sade De Rialfo Z Secure the Win in the $20,000 Akerman 1.35M National Prix at TerraNova Winter Series IV
Daniel Geaney (IRL) and Sade de Rialfo Z secure the win the $20,000 Akerman 1.35m National Prix at TerraNova Winter Series IV. Photo by EQ Media
Ireland’s Daniel Geaney and Sade de Rialfo Z emerged victorious in this afternoon's $20,000 Akerman 1.35m National Prix.
The course, set by FEI Level Three course designer Joey Rycroft, was an immediate jump-off format with a time allowed of 76 seconds in round one and 43 seconds in round two. Round one featured a one-stride vertical-oxer combination, and the same vertical-oxer-vertical combination that was featured in this morning’s $97,500 The Estates at TerraNova FEI 1.45m Prix. In round two, riders were met with a delicate right-hand rollback to fence twelve, and a forward eight-stride gallop up to the final fence.
Six riders jumped double clear rounds, and Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) held the lead aboard Solaguayre Sandalo (Sandro Boy x Corralina) for the majority of the class. With just four pairs left to contest the course, Daniel Geaney and Sade de Rialfo Z were quick and clear to secure the win with a jump-off time of 36.961 seconds.
Daniel Geaney and Sade de Rialfo Z. Photo by EQ Media
"The plan for today was just to go as fast as we could go,” said Geaney. “I just wanted to give her a good ride, and that was really it.”
Though Sade de Rialfo Z (Stakkato Gold x Pousse du Pays D’Auge), an 8-year-old Warmblood mare owned by Deborah Dayton, is a relatively new ride for Geaney, the pair are off to an exciting start.
"She's only 8, and I’ve just been riding her the last few months in Wellington,” said Geaney. “We just bought her, so we’re just producing her. She’s fantastic to ride, a real winner. She's a lovely mare and I’m delighted to win today.”
The win marks a triumphant week for Geaney at TerraNova Equestrian Center, who made his first trip to TerraNova for Week IV of the Winter Series.
"This facility is fantastic. It's my first time here, and I’m blown away. It has everything you need for a brilliant horse show.”
Luis Pedro Biraben and Solaguayre Sandalo finished in second. Photo by EQ Media
Finishing close behind was Biraben and Solaguayre Sandalo, who were also second in the $20,000 Laughlin Tanner Group at Premier Sotheby's International Realty 1.35m National Prix during Winter Series III, finishing on a jump-off time of 37.490.
"He's 9 years old,” said Biraben. “He’ll be a good prospect for the grand prix classes this year.”
Juan Jose Bancalari Elmudesi and ERV Chaman were third. Photo by EQ Media
Rounding out the podium was Juan Jose Bancalari Elmudesi (DOM) aboard his own ERV Chaman (Chester x Organdja de Beaufor) on a time of 37.513.
TerraNova Winter Series competition concludes tomorrow with the $2,000 1.10m Jr/Am Jumper Classic and the $3,000 1.20m/1.30m Jr/Am Jumper Classic.
Hear from Daniel Geaney about his newest mount!
TerraNova Winter Series
What: Exciting four weeks of hunter/jumper competition in a family-friendly, country setting with boutique shopping, food truck fare and VIP experiences.
Where: TerraNova Equestrian Center
31625 Clay Gully Rd
Myakka City, FL 34251
When: Week IV: March 20-24.
Time: Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission and Parking: Free to the public.
Other information: This is an outdoor event. Wear comfortable shoes or boots and dress for the weather. Bleacher seating.
TerraNova Media Contact: Carrie Wirth | Carrie@EQMedia.agency | (612) 209-0310
TerraNova Winter Series continues with Week IV March 20-24.
Book your accommodations with our hotel partners and save big on room rates. Hotels become booked quickly this time of year, and we recommend making reservations as soon as possible.