Derek Petersen and Diamant’s Legacy Top $25,000 Gold Coast Feed & Supply Grand Prix

Wellington, FL, 31 october 2018 – Derek Petersen of Archer, FL, and Diamant’s Legacy were crowned winners in the $25,000 Gold Coast Feed & Supply Grand Prix during ESP III at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The duo secured the win with a jump-off time of 37.38 seconds ahead of Diego Vivero of Wellington, FL, and Cerano v/h Dingenshof who stopped the timers in 38.198 seconds. Kyle Dewar of Ocala, FL, and Clever van de Helle rounded out the top three with a time of 38.492. 

 The class saw 20 entries contest the course, designed by Andy Christiansen of Wellington, FL, with twelve combinations advancing to test the short course. 

“It went well. It was my first show back since I broke my collarbone in August. I have this metal rod in my shoulder, so, that hurts. I had to be careful, but still try to win. It was fun,” said Petersen. 

 Petersen and Diamant’s Legacy have been partnered together for several years and have been successful in national classes at PBIEC in years past. The pair has developed a strong partnership and Petersen felt very confident heading into the jump-off round. 

“My strategy was to win. The horse was amazing. I went second to last and there was a tight turn to get into the combination and he did really well,” he explained. “We went fast on a rollback to the skinny oxer and I thought, ‘Okay, I’m going to try to win it.’ I saw the last jump five strides out and kept gunning it. I thank God everyday I’m able to do this.” 

 Jumper Highlights 

The $10,000 Gold Coast Feed & Nutrition Open Stake saw Diego Vivero of Wellington, FL, and Cerano v/h Dingenshof take top honors after stopping the clock in 38.403 seconds, ahead of Derek Petersen of Archer, FL, and Diamant’s Legacy, who crossed through the timers closely behind in 38.551 seconds. Pablo Barrios of Wellington, FL, and Le Vio, captured third place with a time of 38.926 seconds. A total of 28 entries contested the class with a total of 6 pairs moving forward to the jump-off round. 

The Equiline Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Stake was championed by Sofia Carmona of Miami, FL, aboard her own Carolina Du Toultia Z with a jump-off time of 39.987 seconds. Paige Myers and her own Klyde’s Getaway secured second place after adding eight faults to their jump-off time of 38.682 seconds. Dana Ventrice of Pompano Beach, FL, and her own Dollard Jessy Stable, finished in third place after dropping a single rail in the first round with a time of 76.18 seconds. 

 The Equiline Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Stake saw Terri Kessler of Lexington, KY, and her own Sambuka de Lurberri rise to the occasion to secure victory after completing a double clear effort with a jump-off time of 38.903 seconds. Bryn Sadler of Ocala, FL, piloted Chicago Van Overis Z, owened by Showcase 81 LLC, finished in second place with four faults and a jump-off time of 37.762 seconds. Sadler and her mount Cezarro, also owned by Showcase 81 LLC, finished in third place with a first round time of 80.216 seconds and four faults. 

 Hunter Highlights 

The #1 Education Place Junior Hunter 3’3 & 3’6″ Division saw Isabella Watson of Lake Worth, FL, and Reliance, owned by Sumner Hill Farms, LLC, take champion honors ahead of Chase Finizio of Boca Raton, FL, and Speak Up, owned by Vantage Point Equine Corp., who collected reserve honors. 

 Cecelia Perry of North Venice, FL, and Pokerface, owned by Winter Tietjen, excelled in the Score at the Top Large Pony Hunter Division to secure top honors across the weekend. Lauren Gee of Valdosta, GA, and Upside, owned by Rivers Edge, followed with reserve champion. 

 Lauren Gee had a banner weekend in the Medium Pony Hunter Division, piloting Vienna, owned by Team Weston, LLC, to champion and On Your Mark, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, to reserve. 

The Children’s Pony Hunter Division was championed by Charlotte Yamashita of Windemere, FL, aboard her own Ted E. Bear, while Catilin Wood Tampa, FL, and Sundae Special, owned by Team Weston, LLC, finished the weekend in reserve.  

The Gold Coast Feed Performance Hunter 3’3″ & 3’6″ Division saw Ki-Juan Minors of Wellington, FL, and Castle, owned by Ulster/GSA, rise to the top and earn coveted divisional champion honors. Jennifer Bliss of Loxahatchee, FL, and Quick Petite Folie, owned by Gut Einhaus, LLC, earned reserve. 

Caitlin Wood of Tampa, FL, and Shenandoah Jack Be Nimble, owned by Allison Coleman, collected the tri-color in the Score at the Top Small Pony Hunter Division. Reserve champion was bestowed upon Lauren Gee of Valdosta, GA, guided Reidell Day Dream, owned by Iron Horses Performance Ponies. 

The USHJA Hunter 2’9″ & 3′ Division was championed by Kim Farlinger of Orangeville, ON, aboard Le Chat Noir, owned by Catomine Farm. Gretchen Arndt-Waters of Palm City, FL, and Amoroso Z, owned by Long’s Stable LLC, finished the weekend with reserve honors.