The Ridge at Wellington: Darragh Kerins and Hot Wheels Speed Through $15,000 The Ridge at Wellington 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix Class

Source: News Release/Emily Riden for PMG Inc. (edited)

Darragh Kerins and Hot Wheels Speed Through $15,000 The Ridge at Wellington
1.40m Invitational Grand Prix Class

Wellington, FL - Halfway through the series, The Ridge at Wellington's $175,000 1.40m Invitational Grand Prix classes continue to attract large fields and new riders every week. The top honors in the fifth class of the series went to Darragh Kerins, who competed for the first time at Mida Farm during week four of the series.

Kerins navigated his mount, Hot Wheels, to double clear rounds over the Conrad Holmfeld designed course, speeding through the jump-off in 32.701 seconds.

Hot Wheels has been a winning mount for Kerins for nearly 10 years, and together the pair has achieved numerous grand prix victories. The Ridge series provided a change in venue for the 16-year-old, Silla Argentino gelding, as well as the enticing chance at the $15,000 purse.

"George [D'Ambrosio] and Nona [Garson] do a great job with the show, and the course was great," Kerrins commented. "I'll be back next week, and I'm going to try to come to as many as possible."

Coming in less than a second behind with a jump-off time of 33.390 seconds were Luis Fernando and GNC Lepanto, and it was Laura Kraut aboard Wotsamillion who rounded out the top three in the class. A total of thirteen riders qualified for the jump-off with the top seven each going double clear over the elaborate fences in the ring at The Ridge Farm.

The sixth week of the competition will continue at The Ridge Farm this Friday, February 15, offering riders another shot at their share of the $15,000 prize money. The course will open at 8 am and remain open until 4:30 pm, allowing riders ample time to walk the course and compete on their own schedule.

The ten-week series will culminate in the $24,750 Ridge at Wellington Invitational Grand Prix on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Riders who compete in eight out of the ten regular weeks of competition have a special advantage in the final grand prix - they're able to compete with no entry fee.

Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for this week's class and all of the remaining classes to ensure they get the time that desire.

The Ridge at Wellington is a short two-mile ride from the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, and shuttle service will be available to further aid in the convenience of attending the show. The shuttle will run every two hours, beginning at 7:30 am. To make reservations for the shuttle, please call The Ridge at Wellington at (561) 791-1471.

For more information or questions regarding the series, please call (908) 500-0996 or visit www.theridgefarm.com.

RESULTS

1st - Hot Wheels - Darragh Kerrins - 0/0, 32.701

2nd - GNC Lepanto - Luis Fernando - 0/0, 33.390

3rd - Wotsamillion - Laura Kraut - 0/0, 34.0542

4th - Zabel D - Lauren Hough - 0/0, 35.360

5th - Sil - Geoff Case - 0/0, 36.325

6th - Cabaillito - Andres Rodriguez - 0/0, 36.373

7th - Daimler von de Kranenlang - Kristin Coe 0/0, 36.761

8th - Odiel - Laura Kraut - 0/4, 32.110

9th - Japan - Penny Brennan - 0/4, 34.404

10th - Caribe - Steve Schaefer - 0/4, 35.023

For more information about the Ridge at Wellington please go to www.theridgefarm.com. For up-to-date information please follow the Ridge at Wellington on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ridge-at-Wellington/219358376264.

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