December 2, 2006

Christina Kelly and Robin Swinderman Win Children's Jumper and Adult Jumper Speed Stakes

NHS Children’s Jumper and Palm Beach Daily News Adult Jumper Speed Stakes

The NHS Children’s Jumper Speed Classic was the first class today in the deNemethy Arena. The blue ribbon went to 13 year old Christina Kelly, who splits her time between farms in Lexington, KY, and Wellington. The young rider is already a seasoned traveler. Her family is from Oxford, England, and they spent time living in Spain before they moved to the United States.

Kelly rode Contenia, a 12 year old mare. “She was my first horse. I got her when I was 11,” she said. “I’ve had [her] for a long time, so I know how she’s going to be. It was basically just short cuts and keep going with her. I trust her, and she trusts me. There’s a big bond between us, and we each know what the other is going to do.”

Kelly plans to continue with Contenia in the Children’s Jumpers and make the move to the Low Junior Jumpers at the Winter Equestrian Festival on her grey mare Chiara and the High Junior Jumpers on her stallion.

The winner today in the Palm Beach Daily News Adult Jumper Speed Classic was Lord Byron Z, ridden and owned by Robin Swinderman. Swinderman is from Ocala, FL, and has owned the 15 year old Zangerscheide Holsteiner gelding for three years. Their plan today was “to go as fast as I can and leave the jumps up. He’s a very good speed horse,” she said. “He’s a blast. He does whatever you ask him to do. You ask him to move up, and he moves up. You ask him to slow down, he slows down. You ask him to turn, you’d better hang on!”

Lord Byron Z came back from a horrific accident in August of 2005, when he lost his foot beneath the coronet band. “Last year, I was happy that he was just alive. We had to do a lot of special shoeing and farrier and vet work,” she related. Lord Byron Z was on stall rest for eight months and was started back slowly. He worked on a treadmill to gain strength, and this is the first time that Swinderman has shown him in 15 months. “I’m absolutely thrilled that he doesn’t feel any different. I was afraid that since he’s going to be 16 that he wasn’t going to have anything left. That would have been okay. I would have been happy to retire him, [but] he still feels great.”

The 123rd National Horse Show concludes tomorrow on Sunday, December 3, 2006. The jumper highlight is the final phase of the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship in the Internationale Arena at 2 p.m. Before that, the Show Jumping Hall of Fame will hold their series finals for the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers. The Young Jumper Championship International moves out on the field with their three age divisions. The Palm Beach Daily News Adult Amateur Jumper and NHS Children’s Jumpers will also have their championship classes in the deNemethy Arena starting at 10 a.m.

Results of Class 1402 NHS Children’s Jumper Speed Classic

• 1. Contenia, Christina Kelly Barbara Kelly
• 2. Power Point, Michael Danner Erin Stewart
• 3. Hidden Creek’s Limo, Katie Dinan Katie Dinan
• 4. Marengo, Danielle Miranda Danielle Miranda
• 5. Ned Boy, Renee Huesca Devon Smithburg
• 6. Quali de BD, Tori Corts Tori Corts
• 7. Chiara, Christina Kelly Barbara Kelly
• 8. Von Dutch, Norma Nahma Norma Nahmad
• 9. Markies, Paulena Johnson Helen Varble
• 10. Denmark, Amelia Rogers Amelia Rogers
• 11. Words of Wisdome, Marque Cincotta Centennial Farm
• 12. Coach, Nicole Bellissimo Far Niente Equine

Results of Class 1302 Palm Beach Daily News Adult Jumper Speed Classic

• 1. Lord Byron Z, Robin Swinderman Robin Swinderman
• 2. Shaker, Visse Wedell Chad Leat
• 3. Ca Va, Heather Villemaire Heather Villemaire
• 4. Casanova, Rodolfo Maya Jennifer Urioste
• 5. Netherland’s Star, Tiffany Ann Avon Tiffany Ann Avon
• 6. Da Vinci, Gigi Stetler Gigi Stetler
• 7. Rich Paddy, Diane Richie Diane Richie
• 8. Adam, Deborah Kalas Deborah Kalas
• 9. Quest D’Or, Kris Hoffman-Kennedy Kris Hoffman-Kennedy
• 10. Oriola, John Marino John Marino
• 11. Papillon, Heather Villemaire Heather Villemaire
• 12. Toulouse, Michael Kennedy Michael Kennedy