News
April 2, 2005
WHITLOCK TAKES OVER LEAD IN FEI WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AT GALWAY DOWNS
Lauren Whitlock from Rohnert Park, CA, riding her own 12 year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Kipling (Cutless Reality) took over the lead on a score of 55.1 after the cross-country phase of the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***) at Galway Downs, Temecula, CA today.
They cannot afford to lower a rail in the final show jumping phase tomorrow as Jessica Heidemann of Bellingham, WA aboard the 14 year-old Thoroughbred X gelding, French Twist, are right on their tail with a score of 56.4 penalties.
Both Whitlock and Heidemann were tied for 5th place following the dressage but were promoted after clear rounds; the only two of 15 starters to finish inside the optimum time of 6 minutes and 50 seconds over Mike Etherington-Smith’s 25-fence course. Conditions were perfect in warm weather and an easy breeze as the 18 riders tackled the course, watched by an appreciative crowd in the Temecula Valley.
Whitlock, 20, a psychology major at Sonoma State, finished 5th in the 2004 FEI World Cup Qualifier and regards Galway Downs as her favorite place to ride. “I always have the best ride here, “ she said after her round, “the course rode really well.” In 2004, Whitlock won the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Advanced Series so she has got off to a great start if she can hold on to her lead and collect the 200 points that are awarded to the winner of the FEI World Cup Qualifier.
Heidemann, 24, who finished 7th in the Chatsworth, GA, CIC*** in 2004, has had ‘Frenchie’ for seven years so she knows him well. “He’s such an honest horse,” she said. “He gets very excited if you try and dictate between the fences but he usually makes the time.” She had a scary moment at the bounce out of the water at Rolex, Kentucky Three Day Event in 2004 and wasn’t sure how ‘Frenchie’ would react today but there were no such nervous moments here. “He’s such a game cross-country horse.” she added.
The overnight leader, Kristin Bachman, Redmond, WA, and her 11 year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Gryffindor (Country Light-Lani Molly) added 10 time penalties to move down to third place on a score of 61.2 after ‘Griffin’ came out of the box a little strong but then…”He was right on when I let him gallop. I was very pleased with him, especially since it’s his first outing of the season.” she commented. Despite losing her grip on the lead Bachman is optimistic of making it up in the show jumping. “It’s a matter of me keeping my head. I’m a really competitive person. If I get aggressive, I psyche myself out. I need to take the pressure off and remember to have fun.”
Shannon Lilley, 25, from Gilroy, CA, nudged ahead in the CIC** division by virtue of a clear jumping performance, albeit collecting 4.4 time penalties to finish on a score of 54.1aboard her 12 year-old Thoroughbred gelding, High Mountain Road. “It was fabulous,” she exclaimed. “I didn’t worry about anything. He finds the fences so well. He was a little stronger today than he has been for a while but then he settled down.” Winners of the Galway Downs CCI* in 2004, they are in a strong position ahead of Debbie Rosen and her German bred gelding, Quito 10, (Quick Dancer-Shiva) going in to the show jumping phase.
Rosen, Calabasas, CA also added time penalties to end the day on 55.3 in second place just ahead of Kristen Enedy, Santa Rosa, CA, and her 12 year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Rouge et Noir. Enedy, who finished third in the Galway Downs CCI* last fall completed the dressage yesterday on a score of 59.1 to keep her out of the top ten before starting the cross-country. A clear round inside the time promoted her to third place, less than one fence behind Rosen.
The overnight leader board in the CIC* division stayed the same after the cross-country phase. Kelly Pugh, Tres Pino, CA, riding her 10 year-old Thoroughbred gelding, For Kicks, (Wacky Bob) maintained her overnight lead finishing clear and well inside the optimum time of 6 minutes, 43 seconds with a score of 45.7. In second place from 29 starters today is Canadian rider, Therese Washtock, Summerland, BC, who also completed on her dressage score of 46.8, with Charles Fipke’s 8 year-old Quarter Horse gelding, Haida’s Fancy Package (Haida’s Fancy Lena-Ms. Hickory Glo). Washtock was a member of the Canadian Olympic team in Atlanta. Currently lying in third place is Alexandra Caspary aboard the 12 year-old Westfalian gelding, Maletto V (Monsieur-Perisa) on his dressage score of 47.1.
The show jumping concludes the international classes tomorrow with riders in both the CIC*** and CIC** earning points in the USEA Gold Cup Series.
Full results are posted on the web site at www.galwaydowns.com .
Ends
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Horses names in parenthesis denote the sire (father) and dam (mother) of the competing horse. | |
The FEI (International Equestrian Federation) World Cup event is a series of qualifying competitions, which take place around the world; four of which are held in the USA. This year’s final will be held in Malmo, Sweden, August 11-14th. | |
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series is based on a cumulative points structure. Competitors are awarded points for various overall placings as well as other competitive accomplishments during each Gold Cup event. This structure is designed to add additional excitement to championship contention throughout the year. | |
In 2004 seven of the top events in the U.S. signed on to offer Gold Cup divisions. The four on the East started in Florida in March and headed up the coast to end in Massachusetts in August. The three premier events in the West, scattered from the beginning of spring through mid-summer, were pivotal in the year-end standings with California-based rider Lauren Whitlock securing the title of 2004 USEA Gold Cup Series Champion at the advanced level. |
For more information, please contact Chris Stafford, Press Officer at chris@necomms.com or (859) 552-5705.
For directions to Galway Downs and accommodation, please visit the website at www.galwaydowns.com