Young Jumper Championships

In the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup, there were 10 clear trips out of 56 entries. Going eighth out of 10 in the jump-off was Prudent on Sassicaia II, who took the lead with a clear round in 32.79 seconds. They would see that lead immediately disappear when Candele and Pitareusa entered the ring next and put down a very quick, clear trip in 32.41 seconds. Last in the jump-off, Lopez and Penny Lane were also clear and close to the win in 33.69 seconds, which finished third.

Candele was very pleased with his win today because it was his first grand prix victory at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. “I’ve been second, third, whatever you want before, but it is extremely difficult here. It doesn’t matter, any level, every jump-off is so fast,” he explained. “Things need to go a little bit your way. I like the win; we all do!”

Candele hopes to compete for Team Canada in next week’s FEI Nations Cup, presented by CN, and will also try to join the team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. He said, “At this moment, she’s my best horse. She is a really a trier. She’s very careful and she’s extremely fast. Now she’s been developing here and been very consistent. She’s always had good results with whoever rode her. It was a little bit inconsistent and now it’s getting better with age. You always question the scope until they do it. Today she was very comfortable.”

For the jump-off, Candele had help from his friend, Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze, for a plan. “Eric told me there was one place where everybody was losing a little bit of time. He told me to make sure I don’t miss the turn at the end. He said when they were coming home, they were holding back a little bit, I should just keep going and the oxer will jump well. I tried to follow that. I like when it goes my way like that,” he smiled.

For full results and more information, please visit www.shownet.biz or www.equestriansport.com.

Final Results: $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round Seven

1. PITAREUSA: 1997 KWPN mare by Andiamo/Legaat
YANN CANDELE (CAN), SUSAN GRANGE: 0/0/32.41

2. SASSICAIA II: 1996 KWPN mare by Kojak/Boreas
KATHERINE MONAHAN PRUDENT (FRA), PLAIN BAY FARM: 0/0/32.79

3. PENNY LANE
CARLOS LOPEZ (COL), CARLOS LOPEZ: 0/0/33.69

4. PRESLEY BOY: 1997 KWPN by Concorde/Damiro
JAIME AZCARRAGA (MEX), JAIME AZCARRAGA: 0/0/33.87

5. APACHE: 1999 US-bred gelding by Mezcalero
ASHLEE BOND (USA), LITTLE VALLEY FARM: 0/0/33.87

6. MIKA: 2000 Selle Francais mare by Nidor Platiere/Etoile
REED KESSLER (USA), REED KESSLER: 0/0/34.12

7. RADIO CITY: 2001 Holsteiner by mare by Liatos/Carthago
GEORGINA BLOOMBERG (USA), GOTHAM ENTERPRIZES: 0/4/34.71

8. CELSIUS: 1999 Holsteiner stallion by Carthago/Peter Pan
JAIME AZCARRAGA (MEX), JAIME AZCARRAGA: 0/4/34.90

9. PARISKA 2: 1997 KWPN mare by Almox Prints J/Ezoliet
RICHARD SPOONER (USA), C&S PARTNERSHIP LLC: 0/8/33.51

10. CANTERO Z: 1999 ZANG gelding by Cumano/Primo des Bruyers
BETH UNDERHILL (CAN), IRON HORSE FARM: 0/EL

11. PHILLIPA: 1998 SWB mare by Electro/Stanford
MCLAIN WARD (USA), SAGAMORE FARMS: 4/76.03

12. NIGHT TRAIN: 1999 ZANG gelding by Calvaro Z/Papillon Rouge
RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA), DOUBLE H FARM: 4/77.37