Catherine Pasmore and My Boy Best All-Star Field in $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 at 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival

Source: FTI WEF News Release/Lauren Fisher

The second week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, continued on Thursday afternoon with the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. The second of 11 weekly WEF Challenge Cup grand prix, this afternoon's class saw a victory for 18-year-old Catherine Pasmore (USA) and My Boy, owned by Pasmore Stables. The class was held in the International Arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), which will host 12 consecutive weeks of competition for the 2011 FTI WEF running through April 3, 2011.

Showing over a course set by Luc Musette of Belgium, just eight of the original 45 Challenge Cup entries were able to jump clear in the first round of competition to advance to the jump-off. Catherine Pasmore, of Charlottesville, VA, was first to qualify for the jump-off in round one and also first to return for the shortened course with her 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding My Boy. The pair set the standard with a super fast, clean round in 35.02 seconds which would hold up for the win through seven more trips.

Eric Lamaze (CAN) earned second and third place honors for the day, riding Artisan Farms' Sidoline Van De Cantaur to second place with a jump-off time of 35.66 seconds and Derly Chin De Muze, owned by Ashland Stables, to third place in 36.03 seconds.

Ashlee Bond (USA) and Little Valley Farm's Chivas Z finished in fourth with a clear round in 36.07 seconds. Fifth place honors were awarded to Brianne Goutal (USA) and Cloverleaf Farm's Nice De Prissey for their time of 37.22 seconds, and sixth place went to Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star, owned by Beverly and George Widdowson, who stopped the clock in 37.31 seconds. Kate Levy (USA) and Vent Du Nord totaled four faults in 35.21 seconds to place in seventh, while Charlie Jacobs (USA) and CMJ Sport Horse LLC's Ladybird 17 clocked four faults in 37.34 seconds to round out the jump-off in eighth place.

Pasmore considers today's win the second biggest of her riding career, ranking just behind a $40,000 victory in the Old Salem Farm Grand Prix this spring, also with My Boy. Although that class had more prize money, Pasmore noted that today's class was definitely the biggest win over the field of riders that were in attendance.

"I was just happy that I made it to the jump-off with the riders that were here," she stated. "I was definitely nervous, but I was happy that I went first because I was able to just go in and ride my best and I did not have any pressure behind me."

"I was not sure if my time would hold up for the win, but I knew that I would be quick because I was able to leave out a stride to the double," Pasmore added. "I knew that he was going to back himself off in the middle of it perfectly. I had to add in the last line, but he just turned so quickly and made up for it."

Catherine Pasmore and My Boy

Catherine Pasmore and My Boy

Pasmore has owned My Boy for a little over a year and purchased the handsome chestnut from her trainer, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Laura Kraut. Kraut found the horse when he was showing with Lance Whitehouse at Nick Skelton's Farm in England.

"He is pretty awesome," Pasmore smiled. "We have a great bond and he tries so hard for me. He has a shorter stride, which actually helped me for today's course because the lines were a little shorter. The course ended up riding nicely for me whereas everyone else had to fight a little bit. He is also very quick off the ground so I can open him up in the jump-off and he just lands, goes right to the next jump, and is always looking where to go."

In addition to earning the top prize in today's WEF Challenge Cup, Pasmore was also presented with a $3,000 bonus for riding in her SSG Gloves during the class.

"I have never shown at WEF all circuit without having to give a check to the office -this might be a first," Pasmore laughed. "I will never forget to wear my SSG gloves because they are obviously lucky for me and they are great."

The SSG 'Go Clean for the Green' promotion will be offered weekly in the WEF Challenge Cup Series. If the winning rider is wearing SSG 'Digital' Riding Gloves with the SSG horse head logo clearly visible on the wrist, they will be presented with a cash bonus during the awards presentation.

The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival will continue tomorrow with the Spy Coast Farm 1.40m Speed Challenge II, held in the International Arena.

For full results please visitwww.showgroundslive.com

and for more information, visitwww.equestriansport.com.

Photo Credit: Catherine Pasmore and My Boy won the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival,www.sportfot.com.