Posted February 21, 2006

Cara Cheska Overcomes Nerves to Win Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur Owner Jumper Classic at Winter Equestrian Festival ~ WEF Hosts FEI Children’s International Jumping Competition

Wellington, FL – February 18, 2006 – The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic jump-started the DeNemethy Arena today at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida. This week’s competition, the Bainbridge Florida Classic/WCHRA Hunter Spectacular, is presented by the Palm Beach Post and marks the fourth week of the 34th WEF season.

Although the week is focused on hunter divisions, Cara Cheska kept her mind on jumpers today and rode away with top honors. For Cheska, winning today’s Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Classic was about conquering two obstacles: a complicated course designed by Jose “Pepe” Gamarra and controlling her nerves while getting back into the ring. The talented rider, who is married to Grand Prix professional Donald Cheska, took a hiatus from showing while pregnant with their four-month-old daughter Chapin. Cheska and Modra mastered both challenges today, leading the victory gallop with their first place finish.

The course of today’s classic was held under a Table II Section 2 (A) format, requiring competitors who rode fault-free over the first course to return after all first rounds were completed. A small pool of only nine exhibitors participated in the class today, which added more butterflies to Cheska’s stomach.

“The last time I was in a classic where there was the same number of horses competing as ribbons awarded, I had three out of the six horse-and I fell off two of them!” recollected Cheska. “I always get nervous when you just have to go in the ring and jump around to assure yourself a ribbon. That’s when I mess up. I’m a little out of shape because I had a baby four months ago, and this is only my second classic back since then. I was more nervous than ever.”

Of the nine exhibitors in the first round, only three qualified for the jump-off. Charlie Jayne was the first to return to the short course with his mount Urbanus, owned by Alex R. Jayne. Jayne acquired four faults at the second obstacle in the jump-off and finished in a time of 35.324 seconds. Danielle Torano was the next to take on the jump-off challenge, earning the second fastest time of 35.490 aboard her own Rembrant VH Paradijs. An unfortunate rail down at fence number three opened the door for Cheska to win with the only double clear round. Cheska was the last to jump-off, meeting the finish timers in 38.143 seconds and without fault. Cheska’s smooth and steady ride won the race today and helped to restore her confidence.

“The course was tough enough,” reported Cheska about her ride. “There was a really hard line with a triple bar bending only five strides to a swoop jump. I didn’t make it on my first horse [Pop Town], who is 17 hands and takes a lot of leg.” Cheska further explained, “It was a long course. With 10ABC and then ending with 13AB, there were plenty of jumps. The plank had to be ridden right or it was coming down; I thought it was tough enough for only nine [horses] in the class. I’m just relieved I stayed on both horses, and it went well for me,” she concluded with a laugh.

The first place finisher will spend the rest of her day enjoying the Cheska family’s latest addition. “The baby is wonderful,” smiled Cheska. “She actually has a pony showing in the Children’s Pony class-I put it under her name, so hopefully she can come watch it later.”

Results for the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic:

• 1. Cara Cheska and Modra, 0 faults, J/O Time 38.143
• 2. Charlie Jayne and Urbanus, 4 faults, J/O Time 35.324
• 3. Danielle Torano and Rembrant VH Paradijs, 4 faults, J/O Time 35.490
• 4. Andrew Welles and Kartouche VD Watering, 4 faults, R1 Time 79.033
• 5. Tonya Henning and Mill Creek Sparky, 5 faults, R1 Time 88.761
• 6. Danielle Torano and Bauer, 6 faults, R1 Time 85.945
• 7. Agatha D’Ambra and Landgero, 12 faults, R1 Time 91.363
• 8. Cara Cheska and Pop Town, 19 faults, R1 Time 94.553
• 9. Andrew Welles and Edesa’s Lennetaler, elim.

WEF Hosts FEI Children’s International Jumping Competition

Today the DeNemethy Arena hosted Competition 1 of the FEI Children’s International Jumping Competition. The class involved two rounds performed over courses identical to those used in every FEI Children’s Jumping Competition 1 throughout the world. The scores of today’s individual winner and team scores were calculated by adding the riders’ faults from rounds 1 and 2 to determine a total number of penalties. Ties were broken by the times recorded during round 2, giving the rider with the least faults and the fastest time over the second course the highest ranking.

Competition 2 will be held tomorrow, which will conclude the competition and determine individual and team Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalists. Tomorrow’s final scores, determined by rounds 3 and 4, will also indicate which riders qualify for the final international championship. The location of the 2006 championship finals is currently undecided. Competition 2 will be scored under the same rules as Competition 1.

Julianna Fischer and her mount Warren II earned top honors today with two clear rounds and a round 2 time of 50.73. Fischer edged Victoria Birdsall and Conjour into second place after she sped past Birdsall’s double clear time of 52.73. Natal Clasi and Renick Townsend finished in the third spot with two fault-free rides and a time of 67.46.

Fischer triumphed in the same competition during the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival and attended the 2005 FEI Children’s International Jumping World Final. She finished in fourth place at the 2005 competition, which was held in Simi Valley, California, at the Hummingbird Nest Ranch.

“The courses were great today,” smiled Fischer after her victory gallop. “My horse hasn’t been going that well, but I rode with a lot of leg today. He went over everything, and it was a lot of fun. I like the international competitions because you get to meet a lot of new people and see how they ride. It’s a really good experience.”

The FEI Children’s International Jumping World Final invites 32 riders to participate. Sixteen riders attend from the host country and 16 travel to the final from international countries. These participants represent the top finishers among more than 550 children competing at 41 qualifiers held worldwide. Riders are eligible to compete internationally as children from the age of 12 to the end of the year they turn 14. Foreign riders compete on borrowed horses provided by the host country's riders and the organizing committee.

Jumpers continue tomorrow in the DeNemethy Arena with the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic, starting at 8:00 a.m., followed by Competition 2 of the FEI Children’s International Jumping Competition.

PHOTO CREDIT: Cara Cheska aboard Modra. PHOTO BY: Jenny Ross