Beezie Madden and Authentic Claim the $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa
The $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, CSI-W, presented by Kilkenny Insurance Agency was the highlight of the final day of the Tampa Bay Classic, the ninth week of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Beezie Madden, one of America’s top ranked riders, and her championship partner Authentic flew to the win and the prize money of $22,500.
They won over Richard Spooner on Cristallo and Laura Kraut with Anthem.
Today’s masterful course was set by Great Britain’s Robert Ellis and featured 13 numbered obstacles. It was good preparation for riders that will be attending this year’s Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas just three weeks from now. Madden said, “I just told him that all week he did a beautiful job. I think the jump-offs were all interesting. There was usually an option to go inside or around, and it was super preparation for a championship.”
Eight riders were clear through to the jump-off out of 43 entries. Laurie Bucci (CAN) and Cavalor Catesko, who were the first to go in the class, had no jumping faults, but accrued one time fault to leave her in ninth place. McLain Ward and Larioso were the fastest four-faulters.
It took 20 trips until the crowd saw their first clean round from Molly Ashe and Kroon Gravin. Ashe was the first to return for the jump-off and kept a forward pace throughout. Kroon Gravin struggled to get out of the two-stride and brought rails down. They finished the course with no problem and had four faults in a time of 47.71 seconds.
Kraut and Anthem, who immediately followed Ashe in the first round, were next in to the jump-off. Kraut took her time through the first few turns, but made a sharp turn heading to the final bending line home. Anthem’s natural speed carried them through the timers in 45.35 seconds with a clear round.
Richard Spooner was next to appear with Cristallo, a nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding. Spooner lived up to his nickname of “Master of Faster” as he left out a stride in the first line, and Cristallo blazed through the course. They had a slip going into the two stride, but Cristallo made it clear. They brought the leading time down to 43.56 seconds and took the lead.
Lauren Hough and Casadora had a smooth jump-off course, but two rails for eight faults in 44.36 seconds left them in seventh place at the end of the class. Kate Levy and Vent du Nord saw the same fate as rails fell at fence number four and 12b. Their slower time of 47.75 seconds put them in eighth place.
Ken Berkley and Carlos Boy took their time through the course and galloped down the last line. Carlos Boy jumped his usual lofty style and left all the fences up. They crossed the timers in 47.50 seconds, which was good for fourth place.
Madden was next in line with Authentic. From the very start, Madden was going for the win. She and Authentic copied Spooner’s first line by leaving a stride out, but they opted for an inside turn to a sharp slice across the third jump. They flew through the remainder of the jump-off and the winning time of 42.99 seconds flashed on the scoreboard as the crowd went wild. “He was a little more relaxed for the jump-off. He was fresh the first round, which I knew he would be. I didn’t really prepare him like I would for a championship,” Madden explained. “I wanted to practice going fresh with him and going for the win.”
The final entry in the jump-off was Cara Cheska, who was competing in the first Sunday grand prix of her career, on King. Cheska added to the second jump and King caught the top rail with his front legs for four faults. They finished in 50.98 seconds for sixth place.
By competing with Authentic today, Madden will be able to show him in this year’s World Cup Final, which will be Authentic’s first time at the final. She will also show him in the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational this Saturday.
Results (01.03.07)
CSI-W Tampa
Grand Prix – AM5 –
1º Authentic / Beezie Madden (Usa) / 0 / 0 – 42.99s
2º Cristallo / Richard Spooner (Usa) / 0 / 0 – 43.56
3º Anthem / Laura Kraut (Usa) / 0 / 0 – 45.35
4º Carlos Boy / Ken Berkley (Usa) / 0 / 0- 47.50
5º Kroon Gravin / Molly Ashe (Usa) / 0 / 4 / 47.71
6º King / Cara Cheska (Usa) / 0 / 4 / 50.98
7º Casadora / Lauren Hough (Usa) / 0 / 8 / 44.36
8º Vent Du Nord / Kate Levy (Usa) / 0 / 8-47.45
9º Cavalor Catesko / Laurie Bucci (Can) / 1 – 83.86
10º Larioso / Mclain Ward (Usa) / 4 – 77.21