Riding over a faults-converted speed course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany, Georgina Bloomberg and Paola 233, an 11-year-old Westphalian mare (Pontifex x Up to Date) owned by Gotham Enterprizes LLC sped to victory in the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final. The handy grey mare and Bloomberg finished clear in 52.90 seconds, edging out McLain Ward (USA) on Walstib Stables LLC’s Queen Jane (Colman x Corland), who recorded a time of 53.15 seconds.
Third place went to last night’s winner, 17-year-old Brian Moggre (USA), this time riding MTM Vivre le Reve (Ustinov x Chello II), owned by Major Wager LLC, in 53.39 seconds. Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Catoki’s Son Z (Catoki x Aldo Du Reverdy), owned by Ilan Ferder & Tal Milstein, were fourth with a time of 53.52 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Major (Camargue x A'khan Z) were fifth in 54.66 seconds.
Bloomberg used Paola’s natural ability to rise to the top of the class. “She has a good enough stride, but she doesn't need to leave out strides. She's really quick in the turns, and she's very quick in the air. Given the option, I always play it safe, and I add a stride because I know I can be quicker other places. Really any of the other options of leaving out strides I didn't love for her. I felt like I could just be quicker by turning and using her natural speed," Georgina Bloomberg says.
With a light competition schedule since the Hampton Classic Horse Show in late August, Bloomberg aimed Paola for WIHS. “We brought her here with these two [speed] classes at WIHS in mind. This was my goal for her."
Riding over a faults-converted speed course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany, Georgina Bloomberg and Paola 233, an 11-year-old Westphalian mare (Pontifex x Up to Date) owned by Gotham Enterprizes LLC sped to victory in the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final. The handy grey mare and Bloomberg finished clear in 52.90 seconds, edging out McLain Ward (USA) on Walstib Stables LLC’s Queen Jane (Colman x Corland), who recorded a time of 53.15 seconds.
Third place went to last night’s winner, 17-year-old Brian Moggre (USA), this time riding MTM Vivre le Reve (Ustinov x Chello II), owned by Major Wager LLC, in 53.39 seconds. Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Catoki’s Son Z (Catoki x Aldo Du Reverdy), owned by Ilan Ferder & Tal Milstein, were fourth with a time of 53.52 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Major (Camargue x A'khan Z) were fifth in 54.66 seconds.
Bloomberg used Paola’s natural ability to rise to the top of the class. “She has a good enough stride, but she doesn't need to leave out strides. She's really quick in the turns, and she's very quick in the air. Given the option, I always play it safe, and I add a stride because I know I can be quicker other places. Really any of the other options of leaving out strides I didn't love for her. I felt like I could just be quicker by turning and using her natural speed," Georgina Bloomberg says.
With a light competition schedule since the Hampton Classic Horse Show in late August, Bloomberg aimed Paola for WIHS. “We brought her here with these two [speed] classes at WIHS in mind. This was my goal for her."