Last Updated on April 9, 2024 by adminahb
Argentina’s Tomas Yofre opened the 2024 ESP Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, at Wellington International with a win in the $35,000 Spring 1 A-T Charity Grand Prix, presented by Postage Stamp Farm, riding Cardora, owned by Stellium Sport Horses, in the International Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The ESP Spring Series at Wellington International commenced on a philanthropic note with opening week benefitting the A-T Children’s Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research towards and supporting children with Ataxia-Telangiectasia, a fatal genetic disease.
Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz (MEX) built a challenging track for 42 horses and welcomed only four back for a tie-breaking jump-off. One of only two double-clear efforts on the day, Yofre and Cardora, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare (Caretino 2 x Clearway), stopped the clock at 40.558 seconds for the win. He eclipsed Charlotte Babbitt (USA) with time to spare after she crossed the timers in 45.624 seconds aboard her own Vivianne Blue PS to finish second.
“The course was very technical,” said Yofre, 33, of Cruz’s course. “My horse was jumping amazingly, so I was lucky to have him performing like that here. She has a huge stride, so I know in the jump-off I can go and find the long strides usually in one or two less.”
Jennifer Bliss and Sugarman Highlight Hunter Action in $10,000 USHJA National Derby
The $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Score At The Top, welcomed hunters to shine in a “hunt & go” format on Friday. Jennifer Bliss of Rehoboth, MA combined scores of 85.5 and 86.25 for a final of 171.75 to take the win on Harris Hill Farm’s Sugarman.
Bliss showcased Sugarman, a 17-year-old gelding, over courses designed by Thomas Carlson and impressed judges Susan Tuccinardi and Mark Jungherr.
The podium was a who’s who of top hunter competition with Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD finishing second on 171.5 riding Bluprint for owner Jacquelyn Ventorino. Loxahatchee’s own Victoria Colvin rounded out the podium on J T Farm’s Gothic with a score of 171.
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