Rodrigo and Lets Fly claim the Grand Prix at Charlotte

After three rounds of competition this afternoon, Olympic gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil claimed the top prize in the $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte with Let’s Fly. McLain Ward (USA) and Rothchild finished second, while Karen Cudmore (CAN) and Southern Pride were third. The grand prix was the highlight event of the 2009 Charlotte Jumper Classic, CSI 5* at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC.

There were 23 starters in the opening field, and they competed over the two rounds designed by Olympic course designer Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL. The top 10 were to return for the second round, including tied scores. In the first round, there were eight clear rounds, one rider with one time fault, and six four-faulters. All 15 would return for the second round.

The jump-off was set, and the three riders would return to see who would take home the top prize in the richest grand prix in the United States. First in was Pessoa, who would have to set a quick precedent with Ward and Cudmore following. They did just that, crossing the finish line in 41.93 seconds, but it came at the expense of a rail at the final jump, a tall vertical.

“For me going first, I would have liked to put in a clear round to put on some pressure, but I thought that my horse jumped well throughout the jump-off,” Pessoa commented. “Just the last fence he didn’t really pick up on, but the time was really short. I was really pleased with my horse, regardless. It is always nice to win. McLain is a very experienced rider and very fast, but the horse is a little bit green, so I thought that I might have a chance of winning if he had one down. It all worked out good for me. I have been once third, once second, and now I finally won it, so I am happy.”

Pessoa added, “Hopefully next year, even if there is a problem with dates, or it is before the World Cup again, people will show up and give prestige to the event because the event really deserves it. It is a magnificent show.”

The first class of the day was the $35,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Sixteen entries filled the competitive class, and eight were clear in the first round to advance to the jump-off. First in were last year’s winners Whitney Weeks and Subliem. They finished clear in 31.37 seconds.

Immediately following was Whitney’s older sister, Alexa Weeks, on Madison. They lowered the winning time to 29.95 seconds with no faults. Their time could not be matched, and the win went to Alexa Weeks.

Alexa Weeks has owned Madison, a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Liberato, for seven years. They have been a successful pair since Weeks took over the ride from professional Kent Farrington. Weeks was happy to get the win today, but said she would have been just as happy if her sister had won.

Final Results: $450,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte, CSI 5*

1. Let’s Fly, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Double H Farm: 0/0/4/41.93
2. Rothchild, McLain Ward (USA), Sagamore Farms: 0/0/4/42.75
3. Southern Pride, Karen Cudmore (CAN), Blair Cudmore: 0/0/9/47.15
4. Ralvesther, Brianne Goutal (USA), Cloverleaf Farm: 4/0/66.70
5. Aslan, Ljubov Kochetova (RUS), Ljubov Kochetova: 0/4/66.89
6. Crème Brule, Beezie Madden (USA), Abigail Wexner: 0/4/69.39
7. Alaska, Todd Minikus (USA), Callie Seaman: 4/0/71.02
8. Night and Day 8, Jeanne Hobbs (USA), Jeanne Hobbs: 0/8/71.33
9. Naomi 152, Lauren Hough (USA), Quail Run Partners: 1/8/72.74
10. Sassicaia 11, Henri Kovacs (HUN), Plain Bay Farm: 4/8/67.27
11. Athos, Marley Goodman (USA), Marley Goodman: 4/8/71.07
12. Athena, Charlie Jayne (USA), The London Group: 4/8/71.41

Final Results: $35,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

1. Madison, Alexa Weeks, Alexa Weeks: 0/0/29.95
2. Subliem, Whitney Weeks, Whitney Weeks: 0/0/31.37
3. Ice d’Ancoeur, Reed Kessler, Reed Kessler: 0/0/31.60
4. U-2, Marley Goodman, Marley Goodman: 0/0/32.34
5. La Martinee, Paige Johnson, Salamander Farm: 0/4/29.23
6. Lady in Blue, Francis Tres Roig, J. Adalberto Roig Jr.: 0/4/30.35
7. Kelline Fonroy, Clementine Goutal, Cloverleaf Farm: 0/4/30.67
8. Zanetti, Jenna Thompson, Jenna Thompson: 0/8/31.68