Kevin Winkel and Maplewood Inc.’s Osophia tops an impressive field of twenty-four to win the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix in front of a packed house at Sonoma Horse Park. With 11 horse and rider combinations in the jump-off, Winkel laid down a clear round and the fastest time of 35.835 seconds to take the blue. Jackie Leemon designed tonight’s class of 14 jumping efforts, including an open water option, a triple and a double combination. The final fence was the Ariat skinny, set on a slight angle, which gave some riders a bit of difficulty. Despite this, eight riders managed to navigate both courses with a double clear. Kristin Harden and Firestone (Nicole Teague, owner) came in a close second with a jump off time of 35.965, and Mattias Fernandez riding his own Alegria placing third, not too far behind with a time of 36.210.
