Asheville, NC—July 26, 2007— It was the return of the Black Stallion. Thirteen horse and rider teams gathered for the NHJL “Lucky Sevens” Open Jumper Welcome to officially kick off week II of the Biltmore Estate Summer Classic, but it was veteran international rider Roberto Teran, Sr. and the dark horse High Five who emerged victorious.
Despite evening showers, a day of sunshine left Biltmore’s Grand Prix Arena with solid footing for the teams who came to face designer Allen Rheinheimer’s 12- obstacle course. With a time allowed of 76 seconds, the first round yielded six jump-off contenders with the three leaders separated by little more than six tenths of a second. Heading the class was Vick Russell aboard the Julie Breedlove-owned Azul, who had a clear round in 71.09, while Elizabeth Towell Boyd, on Paxton Mendelssohn’s dappled gray Noble Carthago, was a close 2nd with a time of 71.15. High Five, owned by Luis Gutierrez and ridden by Teran, trailed in 3rd with a still quick time of 71.73.
All seemed to be going smoothly, but then, as the riders prepared for the jump off, High Five took a bad step and fell in the schooling ring, unseating Teran. The spooked horse leapt up and took off, though handlers quickly caught him. “Did you see how I fell?” said Teran when interviewed after the class. “Me, I knew I was fine, but I was so concerned about the horse.” Once assured that High Five was fine, Teran continued with the competition.
Last week’s winner Andy Kocher lead the jump off round aboard the Maida Clifton-owned Optimistic, setting the time to beat at 41.44 seconds out of a time allowed of 48. Teran and High Five went second and bested Optimistic by nearly a second. Boyd and Noble Carthago actually posted the fasted time of the day, 39.43, but had an unfortunate rail down, which landed them in 5th place. That left Darren Finkelman aboard Hidden Trail Farm’s Kimber and Russell and Azul still to go. But in the end, despite clear rounds, neither competitor could catch Teran and his black stallion.
“It was a very nice course,” said Teran as he claimed his blue ribbon. Though he posted two of the fasted rounds of the day, he noted that “I didn’t ride him that hard because I am saving him for Saturday’s Grand Prix.”
High Five, an 8-year-old stallion from a line of Grand Prix Champions, has been “coming along very slowly,” said Teran, who has been riding and training the horse for the last five years. “We’re just starting to do the mini prixs and I hope soon to begin the bigger classes.” Teran added that he expects great things from High Five as the stallion matures to bigger and better competition. And indeed, on Wednesday the horse was first in the Level 7 Jumpers and last week claimed 2nd place in the Week I Welcome Stake, making for “a very good Biltmore show so far,” laughed Teran.
The final results of the class were as follows:
1. High Five, Roberto Teran
2. Optimistic, Andy Kocher
3. Kimber, Darren Finkleman
4. Heidi Hi, Meg Leben
5. Noble Carthago, Elizabeth Boyd
6. Azul, Vick Russell
The Biltmore Estate Summer Classics continue through July 29th 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 required to the Biltmore grounds and may be purchased at the gates. Each Saturday evening will host an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event. For more information or results on the Summer Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 828-225-6202.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY., is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected] or Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, [email protected].
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