The $30,000 Welcome Stake, the last class of the Saturday evening Charlotte Jumper Classic session proved to be the most exciting with a six-person jump off featuring the best riders in the world. Six riders out of a field of 25 delivered a clear round and headed to a jump off. All six are accomplished equestrians.
First up was five-time Nation’s Cup and seven-time World Cup winner Laura Kraut on Panic. Kraut delivered a 4-fault performance in a time of 36.56. Next up was crowd favorite and Hickory, NC native Eliza Shuford on Larentino. Shuford became the person to beat with a clear round of 36.34. Georgina Bloomberg and amateur owner national champion Danielle Torano followed, but failed to beat Shuford.
McLain Ward from Brewster, NY was next to enter the ring on his mount Goldicka. A member of the 2004 US Olympic Gold Medal team and a three-time AGA rider of the year, McLain and Larentino beat out Shuford by 2.2 seconds to take the lead with a clear round and a time of 34.12.
The last rider of the evening was Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil. Pessoa is the number three ranked rider in the world and earned an individual gold medal at the 2004 Olympics. Rodrigo and his steady horse Baloubet Du Rouet delivered a flawless and fast round of 31.19 in front of an enthusiastic crowd to take the class.
Top Results of Class 3 - Charlotte Welcome Stake, A-238.2.2
1. Rodrigo Pessoa - Baloubet Du Rouet - 0/31.19
2. McLain Ward - Goldika - 0/34.12
3. Eliza Shuford - Larentino - 0/36.34
4. Laura Kraut - Panic - 0/4/36.56
5. Danielle Torano - Capitano - 0/4/37.40
6. Georgina Bloomberg - Riviera - 0/4/39.40
Nice describing Baloubet as Rodrigo’s ’steady horse’. He’s won 3 Wold Cups, Individual gold, Spruce Meadows, American Invitational, many of the major european championships - and you call him ’steady’? How about something more like ‘the most prolific showjumping horse ever’ or something along those lines?
aross33 - April 9th, 2006 at 7:52 pmYou must be logged in to post a comment.