Edited Press Release
Wellington International, FL (November 1, 2024) – Captain Brian Cournane and Dothraki Warlord’s winning jump-off in Sunday’s 1.40 M Stake had enough twists, turns, and rollbacks for an episode of Game of Thrones, making for an exciting conclusion to the week’s competition during ESP Fall III. The pair’s fast and double clear effort earned them the top spot in the $10,000 Perfect Products 1.40 M Stake and a FireHorse Rescue Kit!
The Stake ran on the gorgeous grass Grand Prix field at Wellington International over a challenging 1.40 M course that included double & triple combinations, multiple rollbacks, and a jump-off intended to test each horse’s precision and scope. Riding for the USA, Capt. Brian Cournane put in an impressive round aboard Dothraki Warlord, owned by Glenbeigh Farm LLC. The 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Mermus R x Tiamo Diamant x Diamant De Semilly) opened up his ground-eating stride between fences in the jump-off, with his thunderous hoofbeats giving real warhorse vibes. Their time of 41.85 seconds won the class, with Andrew Welles (USA) finishing a close second aboard his own Cismet 4 with a time of 42.626 seconds. Taking third was Alexandra Welles, who rode Quality-TIme Van Het Heieinde, owned by Andrew Welles LLC, to finish in 43.376 seconds.
As part of their winnings, Cournane and Dothraki Warlord were presented with a FireHorse Rescue Kit, the Official Fire Rescue Kit of the 2024 ESP Annual Series at Wellington International. These easy to store and access kits are designed to give equestrians life and property saving tools in the event of a barn fire. In addition, each kit contains patent pending horse evacuation Equine Blindfolds, a tie line, hay thermometer, and more so that all equestrians have a plan and necessary equipment in the event of an emergency.
Learn more below or by clicking here.
At the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, the kits will be added to their security and night check teams’ repertoire for increased safety, as well as being strategically located in the permanent stabling areas on both show grounds. Winners of the Grand Prix and other select divisions will also win their own kit, including during this week’s ESP Fall Finale, the ESP Pre-Charity and November shows, and the $216,000 CSI4-Star Grand Prix during Holiday and Horses, the $15,000 International Hunter Derby during Holiday & Horses, and the $214,000 CSI4-star Grand Prix during Holiday 2.
“We had a fire at a barn in Ireland years ago,” said Michael Stone, President of Equestrian Sport Productions. “I remember we were lucky enough to get the horses out but had no way to secure them. They ended up running for miles, and while they thankfully had no major injuries, I think the Rescue Kits are a great idea to increase safety and prevent such a situation. The addition of FireHorse Rescue as part of our community of Annual Series sponsors is a major benefit for everyone who frequents our barns and admin offices, and especially for the horses that live and show here.”
FireHorse Innovation – Patented Products & Equestrian Fire Safety
FireHorse Rescue Kits, LLC was founded by career firefighters and lifelong equestrians seeking to bridge the gap between daily barn life and fire safety. Every kit contains a selection of items to be used in a fire or other emergency, and the 100% made-in-the-USA case contains custom foam to protect and prevent damage. Designed to be hung in the main barn breeze way, FireHorse Rescue Kits are an easy way to ensure that every equestrian in the barn is prepared for a potentially dangerous situation.
One of the kit’s integral components are patent pending equine blindfolds, developed specifically for use in emergency situations. These horse blindfolds wear like a fly mask and restrict the horse’s vision up to 80%. During fire panic, horses have been known to refuse to leave their stalls or to return to a burning structure seeking safety. FireHorse’s blindfolds are intended to allow equestrians or first responders to remove animals safely and intended to reduce injury and panic by removing visual stimulation. They are additionally useful for trailering, for horses sensitive to needles, and to reduce panic when waking up from anesthesia.
Each kit also includes two handheld, point & spray canned extinguishers. These are easy to use for any one, from children to senior citizens, and perfect for small fires, especially hay, shavings, or feed room flames. An excellent alternative to more cumbersome, full sized extinguishers, these also require less maintenance and are readily available in the case.
During fires, the heat can melt or make latches, door knobs, locks, and other metal items impossible to handle or touch. Heat resistant to 1472 degrees and flame retardant, the gloves in every FireHorse Rescue Kit are made of a mix of breathable cotton knitting and double layered fiber with silicone for grip and fire resistance.
These are just a few of the innovative items found in each Rescue Kit. For a full list, click here.
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