WEF: Kozich Is Victorious In Adult Medal

Source: FTI WEF News Release/Brooke Bidgood/ESP

Kozich Is Victorious In the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal

The eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, came to a close today. Spectators came out in numbers to watch this week's final day of competition. Among the day's early classes was the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal.

Topping a starting field of thirteen entries in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal was Kelly Kozich, riding Baheera. The Liberty Farm owns Baheera, a fourteen-year-old Oldenburg gelding.

The Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal, which comprises two rounds, consisted of a first round course that allowed riders to make inside turns and show off their abilities in the equitation ring. "It was good. I thought it was nice that they put a couple tricks in there, some places where there were options to go inside or around," Kozich stated about the course. She went on to say about her horse, "He's super handy, so he handles everything well. I just have to ride well, and he's always great."

Kelly Kozich and Baheera

Kelly Kozich and Baheera

Baheera has had a successful career showing in the junior equitation ring with Victoria Birdsall. Kozich explained how she was lucky enough to get the opportunity to show Baheera. "He did the big equitation for a number of years with Victoria Birdsall, and she decided he was going to go into semi-retirement and do the three-foot adult equitation with me for fun."

Second place in the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal was awarded to Sara Ballinger, who hails from Marion, Ohio. Ballinger was aboard her own horse, Wanderprinz. Wanderprinz is a nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding by Wanderkoenig. Not far behind Ballinger was the third place winner, Katie Delaporte. Delaporte comes from Far Hills, New Jersey. She was aboard her own mount, Shadwell, a Belgian Warmblood gelding by Voltigeur.

That's it for week eight of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival here at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. There will be more awards, championships and action next week, during week nine. Week nine will begin Wednesday, March 9, 2011 and run through Sunday, March 13.

For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com or for more information, visit www.equestriansport.com.

Photo Credit: Kelly Kozich and Baheera are the winners of the Beval Palm Beach Adult Medal during the eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, www.sportfot.com.