Georgina Bloomberg guided Lilli to the big win in the Grand Prix (VIDEO)
USA's Georgina Bloomberg guided Gotham Enterprizes LLC's 11-year-old Brandenburg mare, Lilli (Lefevre x Diamir), to the big win in Saturday night's $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3* at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. In a five-horse, all-American jump-off, Bloomberg topped the class over Laura Chapot and ISHD Dual Star (2nd), Wilton Porter with Diamonte Darco (3rd), Schuyler Riley and Dobra de Porceyo (4th), and Todd Minikus with Babalou 41 (5th).
With a class of 45 entries and 13 different countries represented, the five riders from the USA were the only contestants able to make it through to the jump-off over Leopoldo Palacios' (VEN) Saturday night course. The competition was the highlight event of week three at the 2015 WEF, sponsored by Adequan®. The 12-week circuit continues through March 29, awarding over $8.2 million in prize money.
First to go in the grand prix jump-off, Laura Chapot raced through the short course with Mary Chapot's ISHD Dual Star and set a very fast pace in 48.06 seconds. Todd Minkus followed with Two Swans Farm's Babalou 41, finishing almost four seconds faster in 44.77 seconds, but had a rail going into the double combination. Schuyler Riley and Wolfstone Stables' Dobra de Porceyo were next to go with a clear round in 49.66 seconds. Wilton Porter and Sleepy P Ranch LLC's Diamonte Darco crossed the timers clear in 48.43 seconds. Last in the ring, Georgina Bloomberg and Lilli galloped to victory in 46.98 seconds.
Bloomberg has ridden Lilli for about two and a half years and stepped the mare up to the grand prix level last year. Lilli has served as a second horse to Bloomberg's top mount, Juvina, but is now moving up to even out the workload.
“This was one of my first big grand prixs with her and my first time jumping her under the lights,” Bloomberg explained after her win. “I have felt more confidence with her, and she has been jumping well over bigger jumps. I felt like tonight was a good opportunity for her to step up, and I was very happy with her.”
Describing the mare's character, Bloomberg noted, “She can be a little bit too relaxed. She will be a very good broodmare one day. She is very happy sitting in the field getting fat, so sometimes to get her motivated to show and pay attention to the jumps is difficult, but she is a naturally careful horse and has all the scope. She is very reliable. Going under lights is very good for her because it piques the interest of most horses. Sometimes being a little too relaxed during the day can change when you are jumping under the lights. They will pay more attention and be more careful.”
Bloomberg admitted that although she watched some of Laura Chapot's opening round in the jump-off, she did not pay close attention to it because she did not think she would be able to catch the speedy rider.
Final Results: $127,000 Adequan® Grand Prix CSI 3*
1. LILLI: 2004 Brandenburg mare by Lefevre x Diamir
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), Gotham Enterprizes LLC: 0/0/46.98
2. ISHD DUAL STAR: 2002 Irish Sport Horse mare by Quickstar x Concorde
LAURA CHAPOT (USA), Mary Chapot: 0/0/48.06
3. DIAMONTE DARCO: 2005 Great Britain Sport Horse mare by Unbelievable Darco x Unknown
WILTON PORTER (USA), Sleepy P Ranch LLC: 0/0/48.43
4. DOBRA DE PORCEYO: 2006 Warmblood mare by Action Breaker x Indorado
SCHUYLER RILEY (USA), Wolfstone Stables: 0/0/49.66
5. BABALOU 41: 2005 Oldenburg mare by Balou du Rouet x Silvio I
TODD MINIKUS (USA), Two Swans Farm: 0/4/44.77
6. DYNAMO: 2003 BWP gelding by Skippy II x Lys de Darmen
MEAGAN NUSZ (USA), Amalaya Investments: 1/85.23
7. VINDICAT W: 2002 KWPN gelding by Guidam x Libero H
JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN (USA), Stone Hill Farm: 4/80.21
8. WILLOW: 2003 KWPN gelding by Guidam x Little Rock
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Amalaya Investments: 4/81.23
9. CARRABIS Z: 2003 Zangersheide stallion by Canabis Z x Grannusso
RICHIE MOLONEY (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 4/81.55
10. GRAFTON: 2006 Selle Francais stallion by Calvaro x Vondeen
CONOR SWAIL (IRL), Ariel & Susan Grange: 4/81.86
11. MYSELF DE BREVE: 2000 Selle Francais mare by Quidam de Revel x Grand Veneur
MARIE HECART (FRA), Marie Hecart: 4/83.09
12. FINE LADY 5: 2003 Hanoverian mare by Forsyth x Drosselklang II
ERIC LAMAZE (CAN), Artisan Farms LLC: 4/83.15