Wellington, FL – December 18, 2018 – Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL, jumped into first place in the $25,000 ProElite® Grand Prix in the 2018 ESP Holiday II at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). McArdle secured a winning time of 41.004 seconds riding Cade, a 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Heartbreaker x Darco), owned by David McArdle. Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, earned second place aboard USA Normande, a 2008 Selle Francais mare (Made in Semilly x Urbain Du Monnai), owned by Paillot Equestrian & Gladewinds Farm, Inc. Engle and USA Normande flew through the timers in 41.214 seconds. Peter Lutz of Waccabuc, NY, also riding for the USA, claimed third place with Excellent, a 2009 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cicero Z Van Paemel x Ahorn), owned by Bosch Sport Horses with a time of 43.034 seconds.

Among 22 competitors, McArdle and Cade remained the swiftest pair in the course set by Jason Shelley of Wellington, FL, earning their way into the jump-off by being one of six four-fault performances after no pairs went clear in the first round. 

McArdle explained that her strategy changed mid-ride, and later, mid-jump-off. “My plan was to go in, lay down a clear round and win the class,” she detailed. “But, I ended up having a rail down toward the end of the course and then I just tried to keep it together to make sure I was in that jump-off with the four-faulters. I saw Todd [take an] inside turn, but he had the rail down. Someone told me Peter and Margie went around and it was faster, but that Margie really laid it down and I’d have to go fast. So, I tried to do what Margie did, but a bit faster.”

While just weeks ago McArdle was claiming top honors aboard Victorio 5 in the USEF U25 Show Jumping National Championships, any win on Cade, a longtime partner, is always particularly special, McArdle revealed. 

“This is my old horse – he’s seventeen and I’m just so happy for him to be able to have a win. I’m keeping him doing whatever he wants right now, and he feels good, so it’s nice to have a horse I’m so familiar with. I’ll keep him as the second for now and bring him out when he wants to,” she said of her season plans for Cade. “With the older horses you have to be cautious with what they do, obviously, because I’d like to keep him going for another couple years.” 

Jumper Highlights

The $10,000 Ultima Fitness 1.40m Open Stake awarded Manuel Lecuona of Wellington, FL, first place with mount, Noche De Ronda. Lecuona leaped through the course in 34.11 seconds. Leslie Howard of Darien, CT, jumped into second aboard Evita, owned by Spruce Meadows LTD. Howard flew through the course in 34.837 seconds. Alejandro Karolyi of Wellington, FL, took third place riding Lincourt Gino, owned by Monica Carrera, with a time of 35.471 seconds.

In the Osphos® 1.35m Stake, Leslie Howard of Darien, CT, jumped to the top of the podium aboard Flo, owned by GJ Stable, securing a time of 39.029 seconds. Second place was awarded to Lauren Tisbo of Wellington FL, riding Casco II, owned by Tequestrian Farms, LLC. Tisbo jumped through the course in 39.043 seconds. Alex Granato of Wellington, FL dashed through the course in 39.747 seconds with Criss Cross, owned by Top Line Farm, LLC. 

The $2,500 Equiline 1.25m NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Stake congratulated Layla Kurbanov of Greenwich, CT, with top honors riding Wamira, owned by Jill Shulman. The pair jumped the course in 32.733 seconds. Mia Albelo of Coconut Grove, FL, claimed second place with mount, Revel earning a time of 34.44 seconds. Jumping into third, Sam Walker of Nobleton Ontario, ON, stopped the timers in 35.506 seconds aboard Royale Du Rouet, owned by Jake Krembil. 

Taylor St. Jacques of Glen Allen, VA, claimed a double-podium win securing first and third place in the $2,500 Equiline 1.35m NAL Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Stake. In her first place win, St. Jacques earned a time of 36.73 seconds riding her own, Qantar Des Estisses. Brooke Cudmore of Omaha, NE, claimed second riding Blair Cudmore’s Igor with a time of 36.968 seconds. For her third place victory, St. Jacques rode her own, Upsilon De La Liniere and secured a time of 38.834 seconds. 

The $2,500 Equiline 1.40m High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Stake awarded Samantha Wight Aspen, CO, with top honors riding Falke-N, owned by Melissa Wight. The duo jumped the course in 37.56 seconds. Austin Krawitt of Okotoks, AB, claimed second place riding Choose Me 4 owned by AES Equestrian. The pair stopped the timers in 37.975 seconds. Juan Pablo Gnecco of Wellington, FL, took third place with mount, Le Roi completing the course in 39.273 seconds. 

In the $1,500 M&S 1.15m Children’s Jumper Classic sponsored by Dover Saddlery, Olivia Markman of Chicago, IL, rode home with blue with her own mount, Zanta Fee Van T swooping through the timers in 32.839 seconds. Jumping in close behind, Chloe Jin of Lake Forest, IL, earned second place with mount, Liberty. Jin secured a time of 35.646 seconds. Anna Richardson of Granby, MA, took third place riding Figaro D, owned by Ariel Fletcher, securing a time of 36.81 seconds. 

Hayley Chambers of Loxahatchee, FL, claimed top honors in the $1,500 M&S 1.15m Adult Amateur Jumper Classic sponsored by Dover Saddlery riding Alouette, owned by Marsha Chambers. The duo dashed through the timers in 37.063 seconds. Jennifer Frank of Wellington, FL, took second place aboard Chianti, owned by Alden Moylan, completing the course in 37.642 seconds. Ericka Houlihan of Rockville, MD, earned third with mount, Petrushka with a time of 37.82 seconds. 

The $1,500 1.0m Low Children’s Jumper Classic granted Jared Hersh Boynton Beach, FL, with top honors atop Uniek, owned by Annette Friend. Hersh jumped through the course in 43.185 seconds. Peyton Jelinek of Greenwich, CT, earned second riding Winston, owned by Jelinek Jumpers, with a time of 43.275 seconds. Betta Whitbeck of Pittsford, NY, took third jumping in tandem with Angelo, owned by Sloan Hopson, stopping the timers in 48.417 seconds. 

Stephanie Ann Cook of Franklin, TN, claimed a double-podium win securing first and second place in the $1,500 1.0m Low Adult Jumper Classic. For her first place win, Cook earned a time of 40.957 seconds with Lord Arthur, owned by Lionsway Farm. For the second place win, Cook jumped through the timers in 42.546 seconds with Augusto, owned by Lionsway Farm. Cassandra Armeto-O’Neill of Wellington, FL, took third with mount, Balounist JSF with a time of 49.593 seconds. 

In the $250 .85m Classic, Eva Kennedy of Toronto, ON, topped the podium with Ace of Spies owned by Phyllis Hines. Kennedy completed the course in 34.741 seconds. Danielle Gore of Miami, FL, earned second with mount Waldfee jumping the course in 39.984 seconds. Ellen Flannery of Wilmette, IL claimed third jumping with Lando. Flannery stopped the timers in 40.716 seconds. 

Hunter Highlights

Friday’s $2,500 USHJA Hunter Derby sponsored by ProElite® recognized Kelly Mullen of Franklin, TN, as the victor aboard the Wariato Farms Inc. entry Fortuny, scoring 166, while the reserve rosette went to Geoffrey Hesslink riding Lindsay Maxwell’s Elementary on a score of 161 to represent Shelbourne, VT. Rounding out the podium, Tessa P. Brown (Jamaica, VT) guided Equipearl LLC’s Don’t Worry to a score of 155 and third place.

Chloe Watrous of Evanston, IL, and her own Casual scored 165 to champion the $1,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Classic, with Jean Sheptoff (Littleton, MA) and mount Verdict scoring 162 to claim second, and Caroline Blake (Westport, CT) rounding out the podium aboard Bernard Piskorz’ Fellow Traveler, scoring 152.

In the $500 Score At The Top Medium/Large Pony Hunter Classic, Mae Mannis of Woodbury, CT, guided the Merrylegs South entry Days of Our Lives to first on a score of 166, with Wellington resident Olivia Sweetnam close behind aboard Sweet Oak Farm’s On Your Mark, scoring 165. Third place honors were awarded to Emma Hechtman riding her own Island Grace to a score of 161 to represent Tampa, FL.

Vivian Golden bookended the podium in the $500 Score At The Top Small Pony Hunter Classic, guiding Boca’s Blue Nile to first on a score of 165 for Ponies & Palms Show Stables LLC, also claiming third aboard her own Believe in Blue to represent Reading, PA. Reserve belonged to Alexa Karet (Pittsburgh, PA) riding Glade Run Farm LLC’s Falling Moon Huckleberry and scoring 163. 

The $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive 3’6″/3’9″ was dominated by Maria Rasmussen of Oak Creek, WI, piloting Hobbs Lane and O. Henry to first and second, respectively, for Sunset View Farm LLC. Victoria Colvin (Loxahatchee, FL) collected third aboard Missy Luczak-Smith’s FVF Just Watch.

Jennifer Bliss and Fair Haven Farm LLC’s Collanto enjoyed an unchallenged victory in the $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive 3’/3’3″ to represent Loxahatchee, FL. 

The $500 NAL/M&S Adult Hunter Classic sponsored by Platinum Performance congratulated Mary Chase of Fitzwilliam, NH, riding her own Teddy to a total score of 148, while Ashley Burke guided her own Piroutte to second on a score of 143 to represent Salisbury, MD. Scoring 109 to claim third, Kira Telford guided her own Cloud Gate and hails from Chicago, IL. 

Christian Dominguez and Rindy Dominguez’ Vintage championed the $500 NAL/M&S Children’s Hunter Classic on a score of 166, with Morgan Phippen (Essex, MA) guiding April Bowling’s Conterno Boy to second on a 162, and Sarah Sardella piloting Elle Haymond’s Watch Hill to third after scoring 151. 

2018 ESP Holiday I Highlights

Jumper Highlights 

Kim Farlinger (Orangeville, ON) and Bentley leaped into first place on Tuesday in the Ultima Fitness 1.40m Open Stake at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Farlinger and Bentley, owned by DK Masterson Holdings, secured a time of 49.949 seconds to take top honors in the stake to open 2018 ESP Holiday I competition. Jumping in close behind in 52.047 seconds, Luis Fernando Larrazabal (Wellington, FL) was the second place winner in tandem with Luminaria LS La Silla, owned by San Francisco Stables LLC. Daniel Bluman (Davie, FL) dashed into third with his own Cupfer CR, earning a time of 70.924 seconds in a field of 12 on the Hector Loyola-designed track.

The $5,000 Osphos® 1.35m Stake awarded Leslie Howard of Darien, CT, with top honors aboard Flo, owned by GJ Stable. Howard honed in and stopped the timers in 49.487 seconds to secure the win. Second place was awarded to James Chawke of Ireland aboard Robyn Walker’s Benjamin with a time of 50.183 seconds. Alex Granato of Wellington, FL, took third place with Honeycomb Van De Heffinck, owned by Mad Season, LLC, earning a time of 53.35 seconds. 

In the $2,500 Equiline 1.25m NAL Low Junior/Amateur Owner Stake, Brittany Hildebrand of Houston, TX, rode home with blue with Chief, owned by Hilington Farm. The duo dashed through the timers in 57.397 seconds. Lynsey Whitacre of St. Joseph, MO, secured second riding her own Barillo W with a time of 76.596 seconds. Mackenzie Hirsch of Jacksonville, FL, earned third place with Casino Royal PJ, owned by Campers Inn RV, stopping the timers in 81.589 seconds. 

Hunter Highlights 

The $500 Score At The Top Pony Hunter Classic congratulated Mae Mannis of Woodbury, CT, guiding Kathryn McCarthy’s Frosted to victory on a score of 167. Olivia Sweetnam (Wellington, FL) guided Jill Shulman’s Secret Love to second on a score of 166, while Tessa Downey (Houston, TX) and Robin Greenwood’s Astro Boy scored 158 to collect third.

Wednesday’s $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive 3’6″/3’9″ saw Liza Boyd of Camden, SC, bookend the podium, collecting top honors aboard Halston and Who’s It for Bridget Hallman to first and third, respectively, while Keri Kampsen (Wellington, FL) achieved second place with Margie Sugarman’s White Tie. 

The Triple Crown Nutrition Green Hunter 3’6″ Division named Keri Kampsen and Margie Sugarman’s White Tie its champion on the week, while reserve honors were earned by Liza Boyd and Who’s It for Bridget Hallman. 

The $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive 3’/3’3″ awarded top honors to Jennifer Bliss of Loxahatchee, FL, riding Fair Haven Farm LLC’s Collanto to victory, while Geoffrey Hesslink and Lindsay Maxwell’s Sovereign collected reserve to represent Shelbourne, VT. 

In the $500 NAL/M&S Adult Hunter Classic sponsored by Platinum Performance, Lindsay Maxwell of Beverly Hills, CA, piloted her own Kingston to victory on a score of 172, while Anne Byers and her own Quantonius achieved 163 points to take second to represent Locust Valley, NY, and Lisa Baugh (Wellington, FL) guided Erin Seeds’ Lone Star to third on a score of 161. 

Katie Giddings and Emma Done Yet, owned by Jessica Collins, topped the Green Pony Hunter Division to represent Boca Raton, FL, while the reserve rosette went to Wellington, FL, native Hannah Randolph aboard her own Twinkle Toes. 

Suzanne Mogerman, hailing from Wellington, FL, championed the Pilates Rocks Low Child/Adult Hunter Division riding her own Soul Mate, with Lily Turner claiming reserve honors on the week with Louis Terramagra’s Replay to represent Dover, DE. 

Mae Mannis returned to the top of the podium with Frosted, this time in the Score At The Top Medium Pony Hunter Division, alongside Aundrea Hillyard (Lewisburg, PA) riding Bill Schaub’s Highlands Heaven Sent to reserve. 

The USHJA Hunter 2’6″ Division announced Kelly Mullen (Franklin, TN) as its champion, riding the Wariato Farms Inc. entry, Three Wishes. Amy Momrow of Wellington, FL, guided R&R to reserve for Jill Abrams. 

The Gold Coast Feed Performance Hunter 3’3″/3’6″ Division congratulated Christopher Payne of Cincinnati, OH, as champion aboard Gregory Schmandt’s Captain, while reserve honors were awarded to Havens Schatt riding Julia McNerney’s Crack to represent Georgetown, KY. 

For full results from the $25,000 ProElite® Grand Prix, click here. 

Competition continues at PBIEC with the 2018 ESP Holiday III as well as the 2018 ESP New Years competition showcasing top jumper and hunter competition. The 2019 ESP Holiday Finale will conclude ESP holiday competition before launching the 40th annual Winter Equestrian Festival 2019 hosted at PBIEC. For more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Photo Credit ©AnneGittinsPhotography.