Temecula, Calif. – May 23, 2021 – The final day of Nilforushan Equisport Events’ Temecula Valley National I kicked off on Sunday morning in exciting fashion with the highlight jumper class, the $2,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur 1.35m Jumper Classic, sponsored by Train With Shelby. With a field of fierce competitors of all ages battling it out around Guilherme Jorge’s expertly designed course, there was no shortage of excitement in the Grand Prix Arena at Galway Downs. Saving the best for last, it was Quinn Ferreira riding Crack One who produced the class’ only double-clear to take home the win.
The course, which featured more of Jorge’s technical combinations and long approaches, required riders to put their skills to the test. The triple combination on course proved to be a set back for many riders as they took rials down with them on their race home, with time to watch their fellow competitors, the final few riders knew to adjust their horse’s strides accordingly to avoid making the same mistakes.
Olivia Schneider aboard Valdez, her own 12-year-old Selle Francois gelding, entered the arena focused on a precise and fault-free first round as the challenging course had not yet seen any clear rounds. With her careful approach, Schneider was able to pilot Valdez around the track successfully, giving her the opportunity to take a stab at the immediate jump-off round. Although quick, tripping the timers in 44.458 seconds, Schneider unfortunately knocked a single rail to finish with 4 jumping faults.
Skylar Wireman, champion of the previous day’s $20,000 Professional/Amateur Equitation Challenge Individual competition, was next in the arena with her mount King’s Ruby, an 18-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Shayne Wireman. With her eyes also on a careful and speedy first round, Wireman produced a faster first round time than Schneider, but dislodged a rail to finish with 4 faults and the second place position until Ferreira entered the arena as the class’ final rider.
Knowing that she needed to complete a fault-less first round for a shot at the class’ top honors, Ferreira and Crack One, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Ixchel Mosley, took a cautious approach to their ride. Their cool and collected effort paid off, seeing them cross the finish with no faults and a ticket into the jump-off. Taking a moment to make a new plan for her second round, the Rancho Santa Fe native then charged headfirst into her jump-off, navigating the shortened track with great care and precision. With the help of Crack One’s natural speed, the pair flew through the finish in just 42.603 seconds, leaving all rails intact to claim the victory. With her double-clear rounds, Ferreira moved to the top of the leaderboard, leaving Schnieder and Valdez with the second place honors. Wireman and King’s Ruby rounded out the top three with their speedy 4-fault effort.
Competition at the Temecula Valley National Horse Show will continue Wednesday, May 26, with the kick-off of the second week of world-class competition. Exhibitors will look forward to the day’s premier event on Wednesday afternoon, the $5000 1.35m Welcome Stake.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Quinn Ferreira – $2,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur 1.35m Jumper Classic winner
On Crack One:
“We’ve had him since the end of 2018, we got him for my mom to do the Amateur Adult classes and my old trainer at the time did Grand Prixs on him. Last year I was doing the equitation, so we’re moving back up into the bigger jumpers again. I train with Craig and Tina Yates at High Point currently.”
On her strategy for the course:
“I always sing to myself on the way to the first jump, so I was singing the Backyardigans song “Castaway” just to get into the groove of everything. I just wanted to have a nice, good first round. For the jump-off, I knew that going into it I was the last one. The only other person to go into the jump-off had 4 faults, so I knew that even if I was the fastest 4-faulter, we were going to have it.”
On showing at the Temecula Valley National I:
“This is definitely my favorite show to come to! I love Ali [Nilforushan] and everything here is so amazing. It’s really happy and fun. The footing itself lights up the entire place, and everyone is so happy to be here.
On Guilherme Jorge’s Courses:
“I rode in the 1.20m Jumpers on Thursday, and the 1.30m Jumpers on Friday with him. I also did the .70m Jumpers this week on a 5-year-old horse. The courses are super fun, I love the short roll backs because they make you really think and get your heart pumping which I really love. The long gallops really challenge me because I don’t love doing that, but it’s super helpful. I’ll be here in Week 3 again. I want to do the 1.45m Jumpers and a couple of Grand Prix this year to just see where we go!”
Results: $2,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur 1.35m Jumper Classic
Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / R1 Time / R1 Faults / R2 Time / R2 Faults
1. Quinn Ferreira / Crack One / Ixchel Mosley / 74.242 / 0 / 42.603
2. Olivia Schneider / Valdez / Olivia Schneider / 76.23 / 0 / 44.459 / 4
3. Skylar Wireman / King’s Ruby / Shayne Wireman / 73.512 / 4
4. Rachel M Torok / Comanchero M / Rachel M Torok / 74.929 / 4
5. Megan Kerpsack / Challenger Z / Megan Kerpsack / 76.837 / 4
6. Skylar Wireman / De Laloma / Shayne Wireman / 71.576 / 8
7. Andee Hawk / Chicago 156 / Andee Hawk / 72.249 / 8
8. Madison Sanders / Cascalido / Madison Sanders / 75.518 / 8
9. Olivia Slutzky / Caminar / Olivia Slutzky / 77.036 / 8
10. Sonja Duckstein / Artiste Des Luthiers / Sonja Duckstein / 77.045 / 8
11. Caroline Lynn / Glamour Betty / Y2M Investments LLC / 78.667 / 12
12. Sonja Duckstein / Silvan / Sonja Duckstein / 85.81 / 14
