Edited Press Release
August 3 is a special day for Layla Kurbanov (USA), not only because she won the MLSJ 1.40m CSI2* Two-Phase to kick off MLSJ, but also because it was the very day one year ago that she first sat on her winning mount, Ronja.
Forty-five international entries came forward in the first FEI class of the week. Over a track set by Cedric Longis (FRA), riders set their mounts up for a successful week of competition at week five of GLEF.
Kurbanov and Ilan Ferder’s 11-year-old Swiss Warmblood mare navigated the speed phase in 34.11 seconds, setting a quick pace that held until the class drew to a close. Just over a second off her time was Mexico’s Luciana Roberto Gonzales Guerra with Ehrens in 35.23 seconds, and Michael Murphy (USA) took a late claim on third place with Cerolino in 35.48 seconds.
“She’s been a great horse for me,” Kurbanov said of her partner for exactly one year. “I love her a lot. She’s got a great personality in the barn. She can be grumpy but all she wants is attention.”
The search for Ronja was long and tiresome, but once they met, Kurbanov knew it was a match made in heaven. “I tried a lot of horses and I couldn’t find one I matched with,” she recalled. “The second I jumped the first jump on her I knew I loved her. She has the best feeling. I’ve never ridden any horse like her. I knew she was the one.”
Final Results: 1.40m CSI2* Two Phase
1. RONJA: 2011 CH mare by Conteur x Czandor
LAYLA KURBANOV (USA), Ilan Ferder: 0/0/34.11
2. EHRENS: 2009 KWPN gelding by Cardento x Concorde
LUCIANA ROBERTA GONZALEZ GUERRA (MEX), Luciana Roberto Gonzales Guerra: 0/0/35.23
3. CEROLINO: 2013 HOLST gelding by Cero x Come On
MICHAEL MURPHY (USA), Esperanza Imports LLC: 0/0/35.48
4. DALAKANN DE BREMOY: 2013 SF mare by Kannan x Carthino Z
AUDREY SCHULZE (USA), Riverbrook Sport Horses LLC: 0/0/36.17
5. HYPERBOLICS: 2012 KWPN gelding by Berlin x Tlaloc M
ALEXANDRA PIELET (USA), Co-Pielet LLC: 0/0/36.26
6. MANOLO Z: 2013 ZANG gelding by Mylord Carthago x Corofino
NICOLETTE HIRT (USA), Ballywalter Stables Ltd: 0/0/36.89
7. AQUILES DEL CARIBE Z: 2014 ZANG mare by Action-Breaker x Gerlinus
NIKKO RITTER (USA), Nikko Ritter: 0/0/37.10
8. ILLUSION CL: 2013 KWPN stallion by Arezzo VDL x Ukato
ELLI YEAGER (USA), Elli Yeager: 0/0/37.57
9. CARLA DU MORION: 2012 mare by Ogrion Des Champs x Elan De La Cour
CARLIE FAIRTY (USA), Fairgreen Sod Farms: 0/0/37.69
10. IRONIX: 2014 SBS gelding by Curby Du Seigneur x Calvaro
CALLIE SCHOTT (USA), Southern Arches LLC: 0/0/38.44
11. CALCIET EB Z: 2013 ZANG mare by Cornet Obolensky x Berlin
ALEXIS SOKOLOV (USA), Hot Horses LLC: 0/0/38.57
12. DOLITAIRE CHAVANNAISE: 2009 SBS mare by Cicero Z Van Paemel x Voltaire
CAROLINE MAWHINNEY (USA), Caroline Mawhinney: 0/0/38.73
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