The Ridge at Wellington: Sarah Segal Soars to a Win at The Ridge at Wellington's Grand Prix Invitational, Who Will Top This Week's Event?

Source: News Release/Arianna Delin for PMG Inc.

Sarah Segal Soars to a Win at The Ridge at Wellington's Grand Prix Invitational,
Who Will Top This Week's Event?

Wellington, FL -- Jumpers should race to get their entries in as The Ridge at Wellington's $175,000 Grand Prix 1.40m Invitational is soon coming to a close. The event has been hailed as the highlight of the season and riders only have two weeks left to experience the colorful jumps and change of venues. Top riders and amateurs alike have chosen to ride in this open event, challenging their young horses and allowing others to gain more experience.

This past week marked the eighth week of the series, where riders convened at Mida Farm to jump a beautiful course at Tops Field. The grass ring footing provided riders with a change of scenery and the opportunity to gallop aroundconditions similar to top national and international events.

Top competitors such as Darragh Kenny and Andres Rodriguez made an appearance at the event, where they have been competing for several weeks. Sarah Segal won week eight upon Tilghman. The two went double clear with a top time of 34.690.

Segal was almost a full second ahead of Kenny, one of the top competitors of the series. Aboard Quidam MB, Kenny jumped two clear rounds and finished in a close second with a time of 35.088. Paul Halpern and Vio Vendeto flew into third place with a time of 35.542.

Riders such as these have had the chance to jump exceptional courses designed by designers such as David Ballard, Conrad Homfeld, Pierre Jolicoeur and Eric Hasbrouck. The 10-week series offers generous cash prizes and the rider who accrues the most points during the season will be awarded the Leading Rider Bonus, which is currently held by Rodriguez.

This purse will be awarded at the March 23 season final and will feature a $24,750 purse, an unheard-of amount for a Level II Jumper class, as well a two-year lease on a car. The location of the event is yet to be determined.

In order to be in the running to this top prize, riders should get their entries in for the ninth week of the Invitational Series, which will take place on Friday, March 8, at Tops Field at Mida Farm.

"We decided that have it back at Mida since Jan Tops is still in town this week and the field is named after him," said George D'Ambrosio. "He and Victoria Mcullough worked to make this field what it is, and to provide the such amazing footing. Jan deserves to be a part of this series, and see how much his work has provided."

The Friday event will run from 8 am to 5 pm. Riders are encouraged to get their entries in as soon as possible for the approaching Friday Grand Prix. Turning in entries early will ensure that they get the time that they desire.

Mida Farm 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.