Speed was the name of the game for opening night of the Third Annual Charlotte Jumper Classic on April 7 as the top riders in the world competed against the clock to score the fastest clear round on tight, challenging courses. The three-day, $300,000 Grand Prix show jumping event continues through Sunday.
First up was the $10,000 Amateur-Owner/Junior Competition where Julie Welles of Connecticut thrilled the crowd as she and her horse Felix Des Nous went last in the field of 42 delivering a winning time of 47.04.
The early pacesetter was Miasha Fisher and the Falcon Farm’s Tango. Fisher was quick, touring the speed course fault free with a time of 50.15. Natalie Johnson upped Fisher posting a time of 48.67 with Jerremy, a horse she owns and moved into first place. Johnson remained in first until Aimee Aron on Heaudine breezed through the course finishing at 48.09. Aron remained in first until the last rider, Julie Welles, entered the ring delivering a flawless run of 47.04 atop Felix Des Nous.
Wells just began riding Felix Des Nous, the 12-year old Bay, owned by her trainer Missy Clark this winter.
“My horse was so good,” said a smiling Julie Wells, following her opening night win. “He is naturally fast and likes to turn tight, so this course was an ideal situation.”
Results of Class 5 Amateur-Owner/Junior Competition A 238.2.1 CSI
1 - Julie Welles -Felix des Noues - 0.00/47.04
2 - Aimee Aron-Heaudine - 0.00/48.09
3 - Natalie Johnson - Jerremy 559 - 0.00/48.67
4 - Miasha Fisher - Tango - 0.00/50.15
5 - Danielle Torano - Vancouver D’Auvray - 0.00/51.86
6 - Katherine Miracle - Madonna - 0.00/53.38
The International Jumper competition was up next and featured the best international riders from around the world. Thirty-eight starters lined up for a go in the $20,000 International Competition.
Joe Fargis, riding out the 17th spot in the order on Diams toured the Steve Stephens designed course without penalty and tripped the timers in 47.91 for the win. Laura Kraut and Panic came within .23 seconds of Fargis to finish second. Norman Dell Joio and Glasgow were third, clocking in at 48.40 seconds, but none were quick enough to beat Fargis.
“For once everything went according to plan,” said Fargis, the 58-year old patriarch of the sport who explained the difficulty of this kind of an event. “Competing indoors is an unnatural environment for a horse. The bright lights, people and different sounds are all variables you try and control - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I happened to have a very experienced and very fast horse tonight.”
Results of Class 1 International Jumper A 238.2.1 CSI
1 - Joe Fargis - Diams III - 0.00/47.91
2 - Laura Kraut - Panic - 0.00/48.14
3 - Norman Dell Joio-Glasgow - 0.00/48.40
4 - Danielle Torano - Pandoer - 0.00/48.67
5 - Keean White - Vienna Rouge - 0.00/49.34
6 - Pablo Barrios - Sun God - 0.00/50.71
The third and last class of the evening was the $10,000 Adult Amateur Competition.
Tracey Mack and Lolitta set the pace as the third rider in the 15 rider class to post a clear round with a time of 51.70. Rachel Mikrut came in second atop Waldo with a time of 52.100 and Sharon Campbell, a groom for international rider and North Carolina Eliza Shuford, placed third with Otis, delivering a time of 53.86. Shuford was thrilled with the third-place finish.
“I’ve had Otis for a long time and he turned out to be the class of the bunch tonight.” Shuford competed herself in the previous two classes of the evening. “I’m really happy for Sharon and it’s fun to finish well in my hometown,” she added.
Results of Class 8 Adult Amateur Competition A 238.2.1 CSI
1 - Tracey Mack - Lolitta - 0.00/51.702
2 - Rachel Mikrut - Waldo - 0.00/52.10
3 - Sharon Campbell - Otis - 0.00/53.86
4 - Paxton Mendelssohn - Noble Cathargo - 0.00/48.67
5 - Michael Kennedy - Toulouse - 0.00/59.42
6 - Lynn Seithel Jekel - Rapunzel - 0.00/48.90
your pictures of julie wells and tracey mack are switched.
shelly - April 12th, 2006 at 6:49 pmYou must be logged in to post a comment.