Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple Kick Off Equifest II with Open 1.40m Jumper Victory

Wayne, Ill. – July 31, 2018 – The second week of the 2018 Chicago Festival of the Horse kicked off at the Lamplight Equestrian Center early Tuesday morning, bringing with it the excitement from the previous week. In the Grand Prix Arena, Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple set the tone for the week with a speedy victory in the Open 1.40m Jumpers, going double clear to surpass the competition.

Tracey Fenney and MTM Apple
Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple

Michael Dorman and Valinski S, owned by Wyndmont Inc., initially set the time to beat in the class, tackling their first round in a clear 67.518 seconds. They then moved on to their jump-off round, also finishing clear and setting a time to beat of 31.992 seconds.

Fenney took to the ring with MTM Apple, owned by MTM Farm, determined to ride timely and fault-free in order to overcome Dorman on the leaderboard. The pair navigated the course designed by Leopoldo Palacias in 68.172 seconds. Returning for their jump-off round, Fenney and MTM Apple sped through the challenging course, leaving all the rails up and crossing the finish line in 30.462 seconds to capture the top slot.

Fenney began her partnership with MTM Apple just one month ago, and has been spending that time getting to know the 7-year-old mare in and out of the show ring. Still somewhat green, Fenney has been impressed with her ability to perform at such a high level. Just last week in Equifest I, she rode the mare in the competitive $50,000 Prix de Lamplight, and explained that she will likely enter the class again this weekend.

Michael Dorman and Valinski S
Michael Dorman and Valinski S

Dorman and Valinski S maintained their placing just below Fenney and MTM Apple to take home the second place ribbon. Holly Shepherd and Loretta Patterson’s Manchester rounded out the top three, completing a speedy jump-off round with just one rail down.

Competition at the second week of Equifest will resume Wednesday, August 1, with the Training 1.15m Jumpers commencing the morning. Still to come this week is the $50,000 Buck Brothers John Deere Grand Prix, held Saturday afternoon, and the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Bull Run Equestrian Center, scheduled for Sunday morning.

FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE

Tracey Fenney – Open 1.40m Jumpers winner

On MTM Apple:
“Apple is fairly new — We’ve had her about a month. We’re just trying to get to know her. She’s 7 years old. We just did the Grand Prix last week, and we’ll probably do it again this week. She started out really good and then got a little green through it.”

On the class:
“She’s very comfortable at that height for her age. She was great today. She did all of the good turns, left out strides and everything, so I was happy with her.”

On Lamplight Equestrian Center:
“We love it here! They do a great job. The place is beautiful, they do such a nice job and the jumps are beautiful to match it!”

 

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