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Posted March 25, 2006 Andrew Welles and Maestro Strike Up a Budding Partnership at the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa
Aki Veikko Ylaenne of Finland designed the test for today’s Amateur Jumper class, scored under Table II Sec 2(c) Power and Speed. Four of the twelve starters advanced from the Power to the Speed phase and three went clear again. Welles cruised home clean in 47.644 seconds for the victory. Amy Lefferdink and Costa Sur were 2.84 seconds off the pace in second place, with a finish time of 50.484 seconds. Samantha Tuerk and Loraine picked up the yellow ribbon, just a fraction behind Lefferdink, crossing under the wire in 50.521 seconds. “There were three options for inside turns on today’s course, and I made all three of them,” said Welles after the second of his back to back wins. “I didn’t go too quick anywhere else. I think it was those turns that won it for me today. Indoors, he rides like a small horse. He can extend and collect so nicely. It really feels like clockwork out there.” The new duo has only been together for a short time, so for Welles, the early victories are an added windfall. “He’s been fantastic. I haven’t been going in with the mindset that I need to win,” he admitted. “I’ve just been trying to get to know him, jump some double clear rounds, and it just worked out with our times that I was good enough to win. So, that’s just a bonus for me.” “I thank Ken (Berkley) and Scott (Stewart) for selling me the horse,” he smiled. “He’s been a fantastic horse for me already, and hopefully we can do more in the future.” Welles acquired Maestro during the Wellington leg of this year’s festival and he spoke of his promising relationship with his new partner. “The hardest thing was that Ken is such a beautiful and nice rider. He just lets the horse jump,” Welles explained. “I like to have a lot more connection, and at first I was really over-riding him, really over-doing it. I’m now trying to find a middle ground where I can learn to ease off a bit and let Maestro help me jump around the courses.” Results of Class 1027H $2500 Amateur Owner Table II Sec 2(c) - Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W – Covered Arena – 3/24/06
McLain Ward and Galant Race past Sprite and Laura Chapot for Acorn Hill Speed Challenge Victory Laura Chapot and Sprite are well on their way to their third Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Championship in the Acorn Hill Speed Series. But unlike past years when they were almost unbeatable week in and week out, this year has been a season of second place finishes. In today’s Acorn Hill Speed Challenge, there was no exception to that rule, as the duo finished with the red ribbon for the eighth time this season. Today’s class was the eighth in the nine week long series of Acorn Hill 1.40m Speed Challenge classes. The class is offered every Friday at the Winter Equestrian Festival. The Acorn Hill Speed Challenge, a North American League (NAL) qualifying event, was scored under Table II, Sec 2.1, Time First Round. Twenty-six starters went to the post to test the course offered by Aki Veikko Ylaenne in the Friday feature. Ten of the twenty-six entries went clear in the highly competitive dash for the cash, with McLain Ward and Galant emerging victorious for the second time this week. Chris Kappler and Pele were the early front runners, posting a time of 66.729 seconds, a time that would eventually earn the duo the sixth place ribbon. Chapot and Sprite bumped Kappler and Pele from the lead with a time of 65.666 seconds, and that held up until Ward and Galant raced home in an incredible 64.124 seconds, a second and a half faster than Chapot and Sprite. Chapot had one more shot at Ward with Three Coins, but fell short of the mark, sliding into the third spot. Lauren Bass (Naleida) and Brianne Goutal (Onira) finished fourth and fifth. “He always pays his way,” said Ward of his speed partner Galant. “He’s a good little horse.” “I saw Laura go, so I knew what I had to do. Today wasn’t a great course for Galant. There were a lot of left hand turns, and he’s hard on the left turns,” Ward explained. “But he’s a great horse. He’s a just a wonderful little winner, and it’s nice to have him in the barn.” Results of Class 1005 $6000 1.40M Acorn Hill Challenge Table II Sec 1 - Tampa Bay Classic CSI – W –Covered Arena – 3/24/06
The North American League (NAL) runs season-long series in six hunter-jumper divisions – Children’s Hunter, Children’s Jumper, Adult Hunter, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper and Open Jumper Speed. Each series culminates with a championship final at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA in October. Riders need not be members of the NAL to compete in any qualifying classes, but only current members earn points toward year-end finals. For more information, a list of qualifying competitions and results, please see the Ryegate Show Services website at www.Ryegate.com. PHOTO CREDIT: Andrew Welles and Maestro win two in a row at WEF in Tampa. Photo by Randi Muster |
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Tampa,
FL – March 24, 2006 – Andrew Welles and his new equine partner
Maestro are becoming the perfect match, after only a month together.
On Friday at the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival in Tampa, Florida,
Welles posted his second win in as many days, topping a field of twelve
in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Power and Speed. He won the jump-off
class on Thursday. 
