Emanuel Andrade and U Make a Comeback to win $2,500 at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Palm Beach International

Emanuel Andrade and U Make a Comeback to win $2,500 at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Palm Beach International

Emanuel Andrade and his own U in the $2,500 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY High Amateur-Owner Jumper Power & Speed class.

Competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued on Friday 22/01/2016 with a win for Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade and his own U in the $2,500 MAYBACH – ICONS OF LUXURY High Amateur-Owner Jumper Power & Speed class. Andrade and U topped 35 entries in the first class of the day to take the win in their second class together after year-long break for the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Competition was cancelled in the afternoon due to inclement weather and will continue as scheduled on www.PBIEC.com for Saturday.

Week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival continues through Sunday, January 24, at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and is sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance. The week will feature several major classes including the $86,000 Marshall & Sterling Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2* on Saturday, January 23, and the $25,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Equine Couture/TuffRider, on Sunday, January 24.

Emanuel Andrade was one of 21 riders to best the power portion of the track set by Course Designer Catsy Cruz of Mexico. Of the 12 pairs also clear over the speed phase, he posted a time of 32.01 seconds with 13 to compete after him. His time stood for the win with Taylor Burns and her own Cordero Z taking second in 32.66 seconds. Whitney Sorensen and Wriomf stopped the clock in 32.67 seconds to take third for owner Chris Sorensen. Alex Matz piloted D.D. Matz’s Quinta to fourth in 33.44 seconds, while Tina di Landri capped the top five aboard Biallon VDL for Highpoint Farm, LLC in 33.90 seconds.

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Emanuel Andrade and U Photo © Sportfot

U came to Emanuel Andrade from Brazil’s Doda de Miranda last year, and soon after the purchase, he suffered an injury that sidelined him for a year.

“We didn’t think he was ever going to jump again to be honest,” said Andrade. “But, we did surgery and put him in the paddock for a year before we started again. We are very impressed with how well he is doing – he feels brand new.”

Andrade competed U in one pre-circuit competition in Wellington as their official debut, but is now pointing the horse toward bigger classes.

“I will do the 1.50m on Sunday, but we wanted to do one smaller class first,” he said. “He can really jump, and we are hopeful he can do the big Saturday night classes soon. He’s so much fun and he’s older, so he already knows everything there is know.”

Other winners in the International Arena on Friday included Emily Moffitt and For Sale 6 who jumped to victory in the $1,500 Sleepy P Ranch High Junior Jumper Power and Speed for Poden Farms. Darragh Kenny and Glamour van de Kakebeek took blue in the $6,000 Illustrated Properties 1.40m Speed Challenge for owner Tom Davidson.

Christy Powell and Savion Best a Field of 42 to Win
Animal Medical Center Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Section A Championship

The Animal Medical Center Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Section A division concluded Friday morning with the tricolor honors awarded to Christy Powell and her own Savion. The field of 42 exhibitors was split into two sections, with Powell winning one of the Section A championships. Elizabeth Ott and her own Right In Time captured the first Section A reserve title. The pair placed first and seventh in two of the over fences classes, and earned a blue ribbon in the under saddle.

Christy Powell and Savion Photo © Sportfot

Powell, of Coral Gables, FL, and Savion shined on Friday. They placed first and second in the over fences classes, and earned a second-place and a third-place ribbon over jumps on Thursday. A sixth-place finish in the under saddle secured the overall championship for the longtime pair.

Despite the torrential downpours, Powell was happy about her success this week with Savion, who is an 18-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding. “The rain is not much fun,” Powell remarked about having to show in less than ideal conditions. Still, wet weather and the remarkably large field of 42 horses did make the pair’s championship win even more gratifying.

“He’s really matured into an easy ride for me,” Powell explained. “He’s cute,” she added fondly while describing her mount of 10 years.

Though the pair competed in the 3-foot divisions in the past, Powell decided to move the older gelding down to the 2’6″ height due to his age. “He’s much happier (there) and not as stressed as he was trying to jump the bigger jumps,” she explained.

The second Section A championship was awarded to Louisa Attenborough and Sundance. The 21-year-old Oldenburg gelding, who is owned by Kim McCormack, earned two first-place ribbons and a third-place ribbon on their way to the championship honors.

Louisa Attenborough and Sundance Photo © Sportfot

Stars Go Blue, ridden by Dr. Ana Lisa Carr and Chrystal Knight, took home the second Section A reserve honors. The 17-year-old Selle Francais gelding, owned by Marigot Bay Farm, LLC, earned first, third, and two fifth place ribbons over fences.

WEF 2 continues Saturday with the $10,000 Artisan Farms U25 Welcome highlighting daytime competition in the International Arena, and the $86,000 Marshall & Sterling Insurance Grand Prix CSI 2* during Saturday Night Lights. For hunters, champion of the Hunt, Ltd. Amateur-Owner Hunter 35 & Over division will be crowned. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.