Alexandra Pielet Leads the Way in the Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search 2* for Week Three

Alexandra Pielet and Common Sense
Alexandra Pielet and Common Sense

Wellington, Fla. – Jan 26, 2018-  Equitation Friday classes started on a good note for Alexandra Pielet who took home top honors for the Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search 2* during Week Three of the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Pielet scored the victory aboard Common Sense, owned by Co-Pielet LLC. She took the ride only planning to compete on him through the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East, but fell in love with the 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood and chose to continue their partnership. The pair earned sixth place during the 2017 USEF Talent Search Finals East.

 

Friday’s class started with 23 horse and rider combinations and 12 were asked to return for a second look during the flat phase. This week’s course tested athletes with a difficult one-stride to a skinny vertical in an easy six strides, catching riders off guard causing rails to fall. Sixteen-year-old, Pielet, presented a smooth round to be called back on top of the stand-by for the second phase.

Mimi Gochman and Trumpet
Mimi Gochman and Trumpet

Right behind Pielet in second place was Mimi Gochman riding her own mount, Trumpet. The pair laid down a smooth, faultless first round to be added to the stand-by to return for the flat phase.  One of the last riders to complete the first round, 14-year-old Natalie Jayne jumped her own Cinzano to the third place spot.

Natalie Jayne and Cinzano
Natalie Jayne and Cinzano

The Winter Equestrian Festival continues on Saturday with the $132,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI3*.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Alexandra Pielet- Platinum Performance USEF Talent Search 2* winner

On the horse:
“His name is Common Sense. He’s an amazing horse. He has some attitude moments but he’s perfect. I got him just to use at USEF Finals and I fell in love with him a year ago and I ended up keeping him.”

On the course:
“I liked the course today. It really suits [Common Sense] well. He really likes coming forward out of the turn and there was a lot of opportunities for that. I had a disadvantage going second. There were a few lines that were a little complicated and wanted to watch a few people go, but by not thinking about it and just going helped. He did everything I asked him to do.”

On training with Val Renihan:
“I love riding with Val, especially in the equitation. She’s taught me to always be fierce about it and always put myself out there. I’m shorter, so it can be a little harder in there, but she gives me a ton of flat lessons and she really works one making me stretch up. It has really benefited me so far this year.”

RESULTS

Horse / Rider

  1. Common Sense / Alexandra Pielet
  2. Trumpet / Mimi Gochman
  3. Cinzano / Natalie Jayne
  4. Catachi / Coco Fath
  5. Carl / Emma Kurtz
  6. Contelido / Sophie Gochman
  7. Braavos / Daish Farish
  8. Eppo / Grady Lyman
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