Conyers, GA –Roberto Teran riding Jamestown for owner King Ridge Stables, based in Reddick, FL during the winter and Ontario, Canada during the summer, won this afternoon’s Welcome Stake sponsored by John Deere.
Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, IN took up the reins of course designing for the jumpers this week. His 12-obstacle layout was more challenge than welcome with big tracks into tight turns and a wicked triple combination-vertical in -wide oxer- center vertical out. “They had it easy last week.” Rheinheimer commented with a laugh, “this is a talented field. I’m sure they can handle a little testing.” The time allowance for the Level 7, Table II Sec AB first round was 83.00 seconds.
Jamestown, a 9-year old Westphalian stallion, was the second of Teran’s three mounts to go clear in the first round with a time of 82.059. “A very technical course” Roberto said of round one, “I felt it was the most challenging layout of the series so far.” Mother Nature added her own test to the course with chilly winds, the tail end of a storm front that passed through the evening before, at times blowing at nearly 15mph made for a horse’s possible distraction an even bigger factor to overcome. “My stallion wasn’t bother at all, he loved it.” today’s winner commented.
The dozen from the original 22 starters qualifying to move into the second round quickly discovered Rheinheimer had saved the best for last. Despite being a mere 6 obstacle layout, the jump off course encompassed almost half of the Olympic size arena with a long opening track into a sweeping roll back and finishing on a wide oxer in-high vertical out combination, all to be completed cleanly in a generous 49 seconds. Teran brought all of his mounts to the jump off round and while beating the time was not an issue catching life long friend and competitor Sergio Campos was. Shakira Do Jacare had a blazing clear first round time of 76.086 and showed no signs of slowing down in the jump off with another clear run in 33.549. “This course was far more technical, not a big race like last week’s. I was a little more conservative in this jump off just because last week I was too fast which may have been too much going into the Grand Prix. So I slowed her a bit this time so she’ll be in perfect tune for the Grand Prix this Sunday.” Campos, winner of week one’s Welcome Stake said. That caution was just enough for Jamestown and Teran to edge past them to take the win with a finishing time of 33.249.
Sunday’s $40,000 National Hunter Jumper League Finals will see Teran and Campos going head to head not only with each other but an estimated field of close to 30 top jumpers from across the country. Their friendly competition will continue when they both head to the National Horse Show later this month showing in both the Young Jumpers and the Grand Prixs. “We’re good friends in and out of the arena. Happy when one does well and there for each other when things don’t go so well.” Campos and Teran agreed.
Shakira Do Jacare and Sergio held onto to the second position in today’s Welcome. Roberto Teran also took 3rd place on Double Diamond of the King Ridge Stables in a time of 35.878. Junior rider-owner Jack Hardin Towell on board Cotopaxi 2 placed fourth in a time of 35.950 seconds and finishing up the top five was Trading Places with rider Daniel Geitner for owner Kyle Register in a time of 36.376 seconds.
The Atlanta Fall Classics continue through November 19th with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday each week. Classes begin daily at 8AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is free and at 2PM this Sunday will host an exciting $40,000 Grand Prix jumper finale event. For more information or results on the Fall Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 770-602-2510.
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