Source:  News Release

Ashlee Bond Clarke and Chela LS Take Home Richest Prize in Show Jumping

THERMAL, CA – Ashlee Bond Clarke admits that she had to keep her nerves and her emotions in check when entering the ring for the jump-off of Sunday’sAIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini Newport Beach, at HITS Thermal. She was, however, a picture of poise and control to the crowd of 4,000 spectators that looked on as she topped a star-studded field to win the historic event with Little Valley Farms’ Chela LS.

“It still hasn’t sunk in,” she said. “This was the biggest track I have ridden on this mare, but she comes out every day wanting to win. It’s been all about finding that partnership for us and I think we have found it.”

Bond Clarke purchased the coming-10 chestnut mare from Simon Nizri in July and won the first grand prix of the season at HITS Thermal seven weeks ago. From there, Bond Clarke has seen the highs and lows with her scopey, yet opinionated mount. “She was really strong during the first World Cup week here and it took some time for us to figure it out and get the bridle right. We have been in the ribbons consistently since then,” said Bond Clarke.

Sunday’s order was a ‘who’s who’ of international show jumping with horse and rider accolades littering the list. The original order consisted of 39 riders who showed over a course designed by Marina Azevedo of Sao Paolo, Brazil. Fourteen obstacles and 17 jumping efforts made up the track, which boasted tall verticals, wide oxers and a formidable triple combination.

The course was really well-built,” said Bond Clarke of Azevedo’s work. “It was big, technical and scopey, but not unfair. There were faults everywhere and that’s the mark of a great course.”

A crowd favorite and East Coast challenger, Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, New York clipped the ribbon on clear rounds and jumped Coral Reef Via Volo perfectly for owner Coral Reef Ranch. One trip later, fellow East Coast contender Todd Minikus piloted Quality Group’s Quality Girl to secure a jump-off. Six more followed their lead and set the stage for an eight-horse jump-off.

Madden and Minikus both had a rail at the second-to-last fence of the shortened course – a tall vertical. East Coast hopes were not forsaken, however, as Kirsten Coe of Royal Palm Beach, Florida clocked a clear round in 46.86 seconds with Baronez, owned by Ilan Ferder, Lovsta Stuteri and Tal Milstein. “This course really suited my horse and my plan from the very beginning was to get a double clear and not try to ride faster than the speedsters behind me,” said Coe. “I just wanted to put some pressure and I did that – my horse performed great.”

The next clear round didn’t come until the last two trips of the jump-off when Nayel Nassar of Santa Clara, California and Bond Clarke gave the crowd a jump-off to remember. 2013 Zoetis Million victor and West Coast favorite, Nassar jumped his own Lordan to a clear round in 45.38 seconds with just Bond Clarke to follow. She put the speed of her big-strided mare to the test and crossed the timers in 41.16 seconds – more than three seconds faster than Nassar.

“Ashlee and I were joking about going one-two earlier in the week and if there’s anyone I don’t mind losing to, it’s her,” said Nassar who has jumped Lordan throughout the HITS Desert Circuit, but gave the gelding a break before the AIG Million. “I gave him the week off and didn’t even bring him to this part of the show grounds for about ten days, hoping the new jumps and the crowd would impress him today and they certainly did.”

A cross-country trip proved well worth the effort for Coe, Madden and Minikus as they took home their fair share of the prize money, rounding out the top five in third, fourth and fifth respectively.

After watching two West Coast riders jump to the top in Sunday’s money, HITS president and CEO Tom Struzzieri was pleased to see their efforts at HITS Thermal pay off. “To see the leading money winner of the circuit come out and win the big class was great,” he said. “It really validates this circuit – there were some pretty heavy hitters that came here from the east, but the West Coast stood their ground a produced great sport.”

Struzzieri said that the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping set out to do three things and it accomplished all of them today. “The sport was superb, we introduced show jumping to a lot of new fans and we satisfied one of the top equine sponsors in the world – AIG. I am really proud to be a part of it,” he concluded.

AIG, title sponsor of the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix was represented by Vice President David Hubbard, who is based in Los Angeles and made a day of it at HITS Thermal. “I feel like I am among friends when I come out to watch this sport,” he said.

Hubbard gave the unofficial nod after the class that AIG is interested in returning to be a part of the million-dollar event next year. “It’s a privilege to be associated with HITS, these riders and this sport in general,” he said. “We are looking forward to doing it all again next year.”

The AIG $1 Million Grand Prix put the final exclamation point on the 2014 HITS Desert Circuit and as the sea of spectators headed home and prize money checks went to the bank, thoughts turned to next weekend. The Great American $1 Million Grand Prix will debut at HITS Ocala as the second jewel of the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24. The million-dollar pilgrimage will now go east as riders, including Bond Clarke, set their sights on a chance to rewrite show jumping history.

©Flying Horse Photography
Ashlee Bond Clarke and Chela LS jumping to the top spot.

©Flying Horse Photography
Ashlee Bond Clarke accepts winner's honors, including a Horseware Ireland cooler.

©Flying Horse Photography
Ashlee Bond Clarke and Chela LS celebrate their million-dollar win.

About AIG
American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States. AIG offers successful individuals and families complete personal insurance solutions-including equine liability. Its Private Client Group safeguards homes, automobiles, excess liability, fine art, collectibles, yachts and more. Additionally, AIG meets the complete needs of equine owners by offering both farm and equine mortality coverage.

About Zoetis
Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit Zoetis.com.

West Coast Finds Redemption in $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge, John French Leads the Way

The West Coast came out on top this year as they swept the top five spots in the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge. John French of Woodside, California was the inevitable winner when he piloted Comex Gold to scores of 90 and 94 for amateur rider Lee Kellogg Sadrian.

“Comex Gold is a great, quiet, beautiful mover and he actually goes better for Lee [Kellogg Sadrian] than he does for me,” joked French after the class. “So, my plan going into this week was to ride like Lee and her style got it done for me.”

French’s overall score of 184 was a solid five points above second-place rider Hope Glynn of Penngrove, California. She and Emma Waldfogel’s King’s Peak jumped to an overall score of 179.

Challengers from both HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida and HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California rotated rounds in a “battle of the coasts” that was evaluated by two sets of judges – one set at each location. A live simulcast connected the two sets of judges watching on high definition monitors while the audience saw the events play out on the opposite coast with ringside scoreboards.

Furthering the cutting-edge nature of the class, off-site spectators were able to get in on the action, thanks to a live webcast provided by Galopando TV and iEquine.com. The class reinvented the bi-coastal concept first employed by HITS from 1999-2001 when the company staged the industry’s first simulcast events between Florida and California.

“This format is a perfect way to showcase the hunters to owners, trainers, riders and spectators alike,” said French.

Glynn admits that while French was trying to ride like Kellogg Sadrian, she was trying to ride like French and piloted King’s Peak to familiar territory. They placed second in the 2013 Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final in Saugerties last September and she is hoping to return with the gelding again this year.

“This horse is a naturally good jumper, so I don’t have to create anything and that gives me so much confidence,” said Glynn. “I love going into these big classes on a horse that I’m confident on and I am hoping that this year I can change my color scheme from red to blue in Saugerties.” 

Completing the West Coast sweep, Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California was third aboard Kelly Straeter’s Undeniable with a combined score of 175.5. Nick Haness of San Clemente, California claimed both fourth and fifth on Mountain Home Stables’ Krave and Café de Colombia, respectively. He scored a 175.25 on Krave and a 174 with Café de Colombia.

Leading the East Coast contingent was Jennifer Jones of Marion, South Carolina, and Redfield Farm’s Clear Sailing. They earned a combined score of 172.5 and finished in sixth. Last year’s victors – Kate Conover and Jessica Stitt’s Taken – made a return to the money this year, jumping to seventh. Conover, an Ocala, Florida native, collected a score of 171.

With the conclusion of the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge, attention will now turn to the big-money offerings scheduled for Sunday. In Ocala, the $100,000Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, will take the stage, while the coveted AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini Newport Beach, finally arrives in Thermal.

©Flying Horse Photography
John French and Comex Gold lead the West Coast in the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge.

©Flying Horse Photography
John French and Comex Gold are presented with top honors after winning the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge.

Barnmice News story brought to you by:

Bucas:  We pride ourselves in creating a collection of technical horse rugs and blankets to ensure that your horse is suitably dressed no matter what the weather.