Posted April 27, 2006

Jessica DiGenova Wins Debut CCI** at Florida Horse Park

Ocala, FL - April 25, 2006 — At just 16 years old, Jessica DiGenova now has an accomplishment on her resume that most people will never achieve: She not only won a CCI**, she placed above such names as Olympians Karen O'Connor, Darren Chiacchia and Ian Roberts and other well-known eventers such as Buck Davidson, Nathalie Pollard, Kyle Carter, Colleen Loach and Karl Slezak.

And this is only her fourth year in the sport of eventing.

The event was the Florida International CCI*/CCI**, aka the Festival of the Horse, held at the Florida Horse Park in Ocala, April 20-23. The one-star and two-star were the first internationally-recognized three day events to be held at the park.

"I don't think about the fact that I am competing alongside Olympians," said DiGenova. "In eventing, it is all about the horse and rider partnership. You have to have the horse that you just click with." With Upolu, DiGenova said she knew right away that they would click. "The moment I got on her back, I knew right away I had to get her. I love her."

DiGenova and her horse Upolu, a 16-year-old Dutch warmblood/Thoroughbred mare, clicked all the way through the competition, starting with Day 1. "My dressage test was really good; the best I've ever had," said DiGenova, who was tied for third following her test. "At this event, I reflected what Darren (Chiacchia) has taught me over the past three months: Really go in there and show off! Dressage is more than just sitting there and having an obedient horse and doing movements."

The cross county went even better. "She kept the same pace throughout the course and jumped everything perfectly," said DiGenova, who was especially pleased that Upolu made the time. "At The Fork (Horse Trials in North Carolina, April 14-16), we didn't make time" and received six time faults, "so I have been spending a lot of time conditioning her." Upolu was still ready to run the next morning, too. "She was perky and spooky, just the way I like her to be," said DiGenova. "It lets me know she is OK."

Upolu proved she was OK when she put in a clear round in the stadium jumping, one of only seven clears in the class of 43. They had been tied for first with Nathalie Pollard and Icarus going into stadium jumping, but an unfortunate 12-fault round dropped Pollard to fifth.

DiGenova's overall score or 43.5 points was 8.2 points lower than second, which was Stephanie Butts' 51.7 points, followed by Karen O'Connor's 52.

Photo Credit: Olympian Karen O'Connor and her mount, Mandiba, earn a first place for their performances in the Florida International CCI*, held in conjunction with the CCI**, at the Florida Horse Park. Photo by Palmer Photo, www.palmerphoto.photoreflect.com

Photo Credit: Jessica DiGenova and Upolu clear the water obstacle on the almost 3-mile cross-country course at the Florida Horse Park's first international-recognized three-day event, the Florida International CCI**, April 20-23. A CCI* was also held at the event, aka the Festival of the Horse, and featured a track about 3.5 miles long. Photo by Palmer Photo, www.palmerphoto.photoreflect.com