Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 win $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, presented by Events DC

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Washington, DC, Oct. 30, 2011 – Nick Skelton captured another big win at the 53rd Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), this time taking home the largest purse with Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273 in the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI 3*-W presented by Events DC. Along with prize money, Skelton was awarded a Rolex watch from Tiny Jewel Box as the Leading Jumper Rider sponsored by Elm Rock LLC. Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey placed second, while Lucy Davis and Nemo 119 were third.

Watch Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 in their winning jump-off round! All show rides are available at www.shownet.biz.

Earlier in the day, Chase Boggio took the win in the WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, while Victoria Colvin rode Waminka to the win in the $10,000 SJHOF Ambassador’s Cup High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and Michael Hughes with Red Hot won the $5,000 Senator’s Cup Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

Tonight’s class was the highlight of the week at the WIHS, which finishes tomorrow with competition for the pony hunters, the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, and the WIHS Regional Finals.

Skelton and Carlo 273, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Contender, were the last to go clear in the opening round of 24 entries over a course designed by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC. First up in the jump-off was Davis on Nemo 119, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cambridge owned by Old Oak Farm. They had two rails to finish with eight faults in 39.74 seconds for third place.

“I only brought one horse, so the days leading up to today were all in preparation for this class,” Davis said. “Being from California I have not shown indoors much and I haven’t really done any big indoor grand prix, so it was just kind of going in for experience and trying to do as well as I could.”

Davis purchased Nemo 119 from Nick Skelton two years ago, and they had a stellar winter season, winning four grand prix events. She said of her horse, “He is very fun and very talented. A little quirky, but he has really taught me a lot, so I am really thankful for that.”

Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey, a 10-year-old Selle Francais stallion by Rosire owned by Remarkable Farms LP, had an unfortunate rail for four faults in 43.00 seconds, but that would hold up for second place.

 

Goutal commented, “I had a little bit of a rough week, so I almost didn’t show, but I had to stop feeling sorry for myself and try one more time. The plan was really just to finish and to finish as well as I could. My horse has been amazing all week and he was amazing tonight. I thought the course was really fair. Michel has been building great all week. My plan was literally just to cross both timers.”

Margie Engle (USA) followed next on Indigo, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Indoctro owned by Griese/Garber/Hidden Creek and Gladewinds. They dropped two rails for eight faults and with a slower time of 40.41 seconds, they would place fourth.

Last to go, Skelton knew that he had to produce a clear jumping round for the win. He took some extra time, but it was enough for victory. He and Carlo 273 stopped the timers in 46.32 seconds with two time faults.

“Actually I don’t like those jump offs when there are no clears and you have to go last,” Skelton admitted. “You can make a mistake. If they had all been clear, at least you can go in there and go faster, but when you are in that position you have to be careful. I prefer to have other clears, to have to go fast and attack. Also the time was very tight, so I got two time faults. It was a good class. The horse jumped great and I thought the course was fair for the amount of riders that were in it.”

Skelton described Carlo as a “very talented horse.” He continued, “He is very careful. He has all the jump and he has a great mind. He really wants to do it, so that makes my life easier.”

Skelton said that Carlo has not shown indoors for a couple of years, but didn’t have a problem coming to the WIHS. They have had a great year, Skelton said, “from Wellington to the European Championships.” They will continue on the indoor circuit at the Alltech National Horse Show and the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

For their victory, Skelton and Carlo 273 were presented with the President of the United States Perpetual Cup. As Leading Jumper Rider, Skelton also won the Margaret Chovnick Memorial Trophy. Skelton was named the Leading International Rider as well.

Skelton won a Rolex from Tiny Jewel Box in addition to beautiful trophies and prizes

All three riders said they look forward to competing at the WIHS every year. Davis mentioned, “I have come for the past five years, and did the ponies and eq finals and juniors. It is really special for me because I have a lot of family in the city so they can come and watch. I also think that this year has been great as far as crowds. It was definitely much improved and I will definitely come back next year.”

Skelton has been competing at the WIHS since the 80s, and noted, “We have a nice time when we’re here.”

Goutal, who started showing at the WIHS in 1995 on ponies, explained, “It has always kind of been one of the peak stops in my year. It has always been a very important finals for us. It is a very patriotic event, and it is prestigious. I think they did an amazing job this year running the show. It has had a revamping in the past two years and it is really nice to see a big crowd come and support the show. They have been working really hard at getting the numbers up and they have really done it this year. It is just a great show to come to. I look forward to it every year.”

Final Results: $100,00 President’s Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W presented by Events DC
1 17 NICK SKELTON GBR CARLO 273: 0/2/46.32
BEVERLEY WIDDOWSON
2 21 BRIANNE GOUTAL USA NICE DE PRISSEY: 0/4/43.00
REMARKABLE FARMS LP
3 87 LUCY DAVIS USA NEMO 119: 0/8/39.74
OLD OAK FARM
4 60 MARGIE ENGLE USA INDIGO: 0/8/40.41
GRIESE/GARBER/HIDDEN CREE
5 85 RICHIE MOLONEY IRL SLIEVEANORRA: 4/58.86
EQUINIMITY LLC
6 18 SCOTT BRASH GBR BON AMI: 4/62.22
LIZ MCTAGGART
7 46 LAURA KRAUT USA TEIRRA: 4/62.73
STARS & STRIPES
8 89 PAULO SANTANA BRA TALOUBET: 4/62.76
JENNIFER SANTANA
9 64 SAER COULTER USA VICTORY DA: 5/66.93
COPERNICUS STABLES
10 79 MARIE HECART FRA MYSELF DE BREVE: 5/67.00
HARAS DE LA ROQUE
11 40 LJUBOV KOCHETOVA RUS ROYCE: 5/67.41
LJUBOV KOCHETOVA
12 56 TODD MINIKUS USA PAVAROTTI: 8/63.98
TODD MINIKUS

Photo Credit: Photos © Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. and Shawn McMillen Photography. These photos may only be used in relation to this press release and with full photo credit.

 

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WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition, and holds a CSI5*-W rating, the highest awarded by the Fédération Equestre Internationale,the governing body of international equestrian sport, as well as US Equestrian ratings of 6* Jumpers and  Premier Hunters. It is recognized by the US Hunter Jumper Association, Maryland Horse Show Association, and Virginia Horse Show Association. WIHS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.