Bridgehampton,
NY - Tracey Weinberg of Lovettsville, VA, rode to victory
in the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby at the Hampton
Classic Horse Show on Sunday morning, riding Linda Z, owned
by Weinberg and the Weinberg Brokerage Group. Andrew
Welles of Long Lake, Minnesota, finished second on Cadanio
Z, owned by Peter Welles. Third went to Canadian rider
Miranda Fischer riding Hot Wheels.
The
32nd Hampton Classic Horse Show, one of the nation's premier
show jumping competitions boasts more than $500,000 in prize
money, 50,000 spectators and 1,500 horses. The Hampton
Classic is not only a sporting event of major proportions,
but also one of the most noteworthy social events of the
summer.
In
the Calvin Klein Show Jumping Derby no one managed to go
clear in round one, so the jump-off consisted of three riders
who had tied for the lead with four faults. Weinberg
and Linda Z were the first to go. They went clean,
but their time of 44.651 seconds was respectable but beatable. Welles
beat the time, but not without dropping a rail, so he ended
up with four faults and a jump-off time of 42.575. Fischer,
the final rider in the jump-off also managed to beat the
clock, but not gravity. She and Hot Wheels also had
a rail to finish with four faults in a time of 43.160 seconds.
Weinberg,
who is trained by Olympic veteran Joe Fargis, said she was
told to ignore the clock and go for the clear round. "Joe
told me not to go crazy, just ride for a clean round and
of course, Joe is always right!" said Weinberg. "I
knew after I came out of the ring that my time was beatable,
but the stars were aligned and the others had rails. I'm
overwhelmed!"
Weinberg
thought the Conrad Homfeld designed course was difficult
for her 15-hand Holsteiner mare, but learned valuable lessons
in the process. "Every time I ride one of his courses, I
learn something. Conrad is a genius. He makes you think
every step of the way. I knew when I walked the course
it was going to be difficult. I didn't have a moment
to take a breath other than at the top of the bank."
Several
Championships were awarded at the Classic on Sunday. They
included: Tracey Weinberg, who won the Amateur Owner Division
and Maria Schaub of Holmdel, New Jersey, who took the Junior
Jumper Style of Riding Award. Margie Engle of West
Palm Beach was awarded the National Open Jumper Championship
and Katherine Newman of Upperville, Massachusetts, won the
Junior Jumper High Score Award. Jessica Springsteen
of Colts Neck, New Jersey, captured the Best Junior Rider
award. Addison Phillips of New York, New York, took
home the Equitation Championship and the Best Style of Riding
Award on a Hunter went to Scott Stewart of Wellington, Florida.
All
week long, the Classic hosted hunter/jumper competition for
riders ranging from the youngest competitors in Leadline
and Short Stirrup classes all the way up to the Olympic veterans
Grand Prix classes.
Those
unable to attend the Hampton Classic have ample opportunity
to see it on television. WVVH-TV, the official Long
Island television station of the Hampton Classic, is broadcasting
up to five hours of competition and highlights each day during
the Classic. These broadcasts can also be seen online
at www.wvvh.tv.
The
Classic also receives extensive coverage on WLIU 88.3 FM,
a long time sponsor and the official radio station of the
Hampton Classic. WLIU will broadcast updates daily throughout
the Classic as well as live programs from the Classic on
Sunday.
Live
webcasts from the Hampton Classic Grand Prix ring and Hunter
Ring I are available free of charge at www.equestriansport.tv
For
more information on the Hampton Classic Horse Show, please
visit the Hampton Classic website at www.hamptonclassic.com or
call (631) 537-3177. Hampton Classic Horse Show, Inc.
is a 501.c.3 charitable corporation. |
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