Week 7’s Turf Tour lineup included some of the best in the business, including Beat Mandli, Katherine Dinan, Debbie Stephens, Beth Underhill, Darraugh Kenny, and Conor Swail. Second place went to Sandra Dalman of Southview, Inc. riding A-Frieda-O, with a double clear round and final time of 40.627. Maria Schaub riding Hilfinger van de Celemnhoe was third, also with a double clear and a time of 40.687, and fourth was Katherine Dinan took fifth and sixth aboard Zander and Simba, with final times of 40.825 and 40.850 seconds. She was followed by Darraugh Kenny in sixth, seventh, and eighth with Caliber (double clear, 42.43.080), Utopia Di San Patrigi (double clear, 44.116 seconds), and Glamour Van De Kakebee (four faults in the jump off, 42.960). Ninth and tenth place were awarded to Tina Yates riding Valencia and Chelsea Ross riding Calida.
“This week’s Grand Prix is a bit more technical, building on the basics as we progress more into season,” said course designer Nick Granat. The spacious polo fields of the International Polo Club require riders to ride accurately and find their distances correctly, or sacrifice time and rails. Friday’s competition also included Low, Medium, and High Schooling Jumper and Young Horse classes in addition to the Grand Prix, and on Wednesday Beth Underhill aboard Count Me In and Brianne Goutal with Zemike K were victorious in the $2,400 1.30-1.35M classes. Hosted by The Ridge at Wellington, the 2016 Turf Tour is the brainchild of Olympian Nona Garson, George d’Ambrosio, and Craig Bergmann, who intended for the series to act as a catalyst for the growth and development of horses and riders. The Turf Tour combines breathtaking venues with amenities as world class as its competitors. Week Eight of the Turf Tour will again take place on the beautiful grounds of the International Polo Club on Wednesday and Friday, February 24 and 26, 2016.
