Wilmington, Ohio – Twenty horse-and-athlete combinations met Saturday evening in the Standlee Sanctuary at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington for the $30,000 Magnawave Grand Prix of Winter Classic 2. FEI Level IV course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed an appropriate, technical track for the esteemed field of riders, allowing six combinations to jump-off.
As the second to go in the short course, Patricio Rodriguez (ARG) was able to hold onto the lead until the end with Ashland Farms’ Icarus (Douglas VDL x Ralisca).
After jumping a track built by one of the best designers in the world, Rodriguez shared his thoughts, “The track was great. I think ‘Gui’ is really good knowing the riders, paying attention to the list and building for the riders he has that night. He did a great job. It was six horse jump-off, so the track was built exactly right. There were turns and big gallops; it was a lot of fun.”
Though the partnership is brand new, Rodriguez is off to a positive start with the seasoned mount, “I got him a few weeks ago from my friend Francisco [Goyoaga Mollet] at Ashland Farms. This is my second week showing him and he has been nothing but great for me. He has done it all. It is cool to get on him because he really knows the job. I want to thank Ashland for giving me the ride on this horse!”
Aboard the 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Rodriguez found a quick, clear track for a winning time of 47.468 seconds.
“I just wanted to go in and give it my all and what I did was just enough. I did one less from one-to-two. I made tight turns everywhere and galloped where I could and stuck to my plan. I was the second one in, so I didn’t have the chance to watch many, I just went in and did my thing,” Rodriguez shared.
Kama Godek (USA) secured second place with her own 12-year-old Holsteiner mare, Charissa (Clarimo x Urmel VI), in 48.03 seconds.
Rounding out the podium was Amanda Harris (CAN) and her own 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, VDL Maverick (Tinkas Boy), in 48.747 seconds.
$30,000 Magnawave Grand Prix Results:
1 Icarus, Patricio Rodriguez, Ashland Farms | 0 | 47.468
2 Charissa, Kama Godek, Kama Godek | 0 | 48.03
3 VDL Maverick, Amanda Harris, Amanda Harris | 0 | 48.747
4 Ike, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 45.089
5 La Belle SCF, Summer Hill, Andrea Simpson | 5 | 49.062
6 Nightshade SCF, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 5 | 49.411
7 Jabantos, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 4 | 70.887
8 Lady Stakkata, Kama Godek, Kama Godek | 4 | 71.517
9 Gattaca De Vains, Corri Goldman, Corri Goldman | 4 | 73.951
10 Formidable Diamant, Samuel Pegg, Harlow Investment Enterprises | 4 | 74.65
Aiden Udelson Wins First $10,000 Futures Prix with Jackson VDL
Saturday afternoon saw a field of 18 horse-and-athlete combinations for the $10,000 Futures Prix of Winter Classic 2. Guilherme Jorge (BRA) crafted a first-round track that allowed eight athletes to move onto the immediate jump-off phase. Of six double clear efforts, Aiden Udelson laid down the fastest round aboard Cleveland Equestrian’s Jackson VDL (Zirocco Blue VDL x Design O) to secure his first career Futures Prix win.
The young rider from Novelty, Ohio, has been chasing the class win throughout the fall season and was, “feeling really good,” he shared after leading the victory gallop. “The last week we were here, I was going for it and there was one turn that I didn’t think was the right thing to do on him. I went around and was still pretty fast, but my time was caught.”
Udelson was thankful for the opportunity to take the reins on his mom’s grand prix mount to gain experience at the top level.
“I really appreciate my mom [Megan Bash] letting me take over the ride on him. He has taught me so much. I know going in the ring over these bigger jumps that I am on horse that will be able to help me out because he has already completed and won so many big classes with her. I walk in so confident knowing he already has that experience,” Udelson expressed his gratitude.
The 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding wasted no time in the air, crossing the timers in an uncatchable 34.169 seconds for the win.
“Going back in for the jump-off, it really helped that I had already done my other horse in the Medium Juniors because I knew the turn back to the in-and-out,” Udelson noted where he made up time” I know on Jackson, I can turn and not waste any time in the air. I knew if I could jump a consistent, fast round and continue supporting him that I wouldn’t need to chase him anywhere.”
Sarah Sturges (USA) entered at the bottom of the order with her own Labyrinth (Zirocco Blue VDL x Warone), to contest Udelson’s time. Having won numerous Futures Prix’s, Sturges opened the gallop with her eight-year-old American Warmblood gelding, but was just shy of the leading time in 34.988 seconds to secure second place.
Wilhelm Genn (GER) guided Klaus Mauer’s eight-year-old Oldenburg mare, Katinka (Kannan x Maylin), to third place in 35.402 seconds.
$10,000 Futures Prix Results:
1 Jackson VDL, Aiden Udelson, Cleveland Equestrian | 0 | 34.169
2 Labyrinth, Sarah Sturges, Sarah Sturges LLC | 0 | 34.988
3 Katinka, Wilhelm Genn, Klaus Mauer | 0 | 35.402
4 Casey H, Samuel Pegg, Harlow Investment Enterprises LLC | 0 | 35.902
5 Eldoranda Z, Alexandria Nelson, Thinkslikeahorse | 0 | 39.158
6 Comme Cartani, Samuel Pegg, Samuel Pegg | 0 | 39.215
7 Spicebomb, Sarah Meier, Sarah Meier | 4 | 34.765
8 Eternity Du Seigneur, Chloe Desjarlais, Emellar Stables LLC | 4 | 35.159
9 Emerald Irish Cruise, Corri Goldman, Corri Goldman | 4 | 73.311
10 Wildflower, Sarah Long, Mark Hayes | 4 | 74.245