Wellington, FL – February 21, 2004 – Clementine Goutal, 13, of New York City, NY, rode two horses in today’s FEI Children’s World Jumping Competition 1 and placed first with Amethyst and second with Lightfeet in the overall standings after two rounds of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Cloverleaf Farm owns both horses. Riders will compete in Competition 2 tomorrow to determine which riders qualify for the FEI Children’s World Jumping Final to be held in California later this year. The competition is open to riders age 12 to 14.

In the DeNemethy Arena today, 21 horses took the tests built by course designer Mehves Trak. The first round required riders to go clear over 12 fences, which included two double combinations, under the time allowed of 76 seconds. “You didn’t have to go fast though,” said Clementine. She went clear with both of her horses – clocking in at 70.24 with Amethyst and 71.78 with Lightfeet. The times determined the jumping order for the next round, which was a speed course. With time allowed at 57 seconds, Clementine blazed around the 10-effort course in 39.74 with Amethyst to take the win, and 41.88 aboard Lightfeet for second place.

In the overall standings, her placings gave Clementine the two top spots. “It was really fun. It was exciting,” she said. Fences ranged from 3’7” to 3’11” – did that seem high to her? “Not really, actually,” she said. “The course was kind of different, it was a change – they blocked off part of the ring because the FEI has certain dimensions and regulations. I liked the course because it fit my riding style. There were obviously some tight turns, but there were also some really long, gappy lines. My horses were so good.”

Amethyst is a 10-year-old, 16-hand, dark bay Dutch gelding and Lightfeet is a 12-year-old, 16-hand, bay Hanoverian mare, bay. Both horses were previously ridden by her sister, Briande Goutal, 15, and have been in the family for almost four years each. “Lightfeet is hyper and I’m really hyper,” said Clementine of her relationship to the mare. “She looks around a little bit, but she would never stop and she rarely spooks.” Of her winning mount today, Amethyst, she said, “I don’t know if our personalities fit – it’s like an opposites thing. He’s very concentrated. If he were a person he’d be something like a trapeze artist because he tries really hard and he sets his mind on what he wants to do. If I could have any horses, it would be them.”

Clementine trains at Beacon Hill in Colts Neck, New Jersey, with Frank and Stacia Madden, Max Amaya, Krista Freundlich, and Kelley Fielder. She started riding five years ago. Now an eighth grader at The Professional Children’s School in Manhattan, Clementine makes the three-hour roundtrip to the barn four times a week. She commuted to Wellington for most of January, but is now in residence and has a semi-private tutor along with Briande.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s competition, Clementine said, “I obviously want to be in the top ribbons but my horses were so good today I’ll be happy with them either way. They’re just so cool.” She is enthusiastic about qualifying for the final in California. “I would love to go. It would be awesome to go. That would be so much fun.”

In earlier competition today in the Internationale Arena, 42 riders wrapped up two days of competition to determine the A-O Hunter 18-35 Champion. Francesca Caroli riding Jazz for the Caroli Stables won the Amateur-Owner Working Hunter 18-35 Championship, Section A. Whitney Roper riding her own Saloon won the Amateur-Owner Working Hunter 18-35 Championship, Section B.

For complete results, visit www.stadiumjumping.com

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day; Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday; Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.