Posted May 13, 2006

Tucker, Say The Word & Purple Label Have an Outrageous Night at Legacy Cup in 3' Pro Finals

Purple Label Owes It All to a Team Effort

Purple Label’s score of 162 in the first 3’ Go Round and 250 in the finals gave them the combined total of 412, which garnered them the Pre Green Incentive Championship and a check for $3,000. In addition they won $992 for placing 5th in the 3’ Pro Finals.

Purple Label is “nice to ride,” explained Bielefeld who only started riding him a few days earlier and those first rides were a challenge. “We were just getting to know each other and it got better each day. By Thursday (the day before their finals) we clicked and it continued through to today,” explained Bielefeld. His trainer Helen Varble nodded in agreement.

“Helen’s prep is the key to success,” he continued. “It’s all about training, grooming, feeding and time. We start at 4:00 a.m. It’s all of the above and it is a team effort.” Bielefeld emphasized the concept of team adding, “Behind the scenes is more important than anything else.” And it was for the “team” that he was happy about his victory.

“I was happy for everybody,” said the Floridian. “You put so much into it.” Bielefeld also felt compelled to focus on the owners, Kitty and Bruce Eckert, and the fact that these kinds of owners “are few and far between. Fortunately we won and the owners were here. It was like the Derby. We had our own win picture.”

Bielefeld knew that to win the Pre Green Incentive the judges are looking for a horse that easily handles the 3’ course. “He’s extremely scopey, athletic and glides across the ground,” said Bielefeld about the 7-year-old, 16.3 hand, black Hanoverian gelding. “He has enough jump, stride, and scope to do all that. You have to have the scope and range to be able to jump 3’6”. It shouldn’t look like the horse is putting that much effort into a 3’ course.”

When Purple Label isn’t in the show ring he’s relaxing and Kitty loves feeding him. “He’s addicted to peppermints and he loves carrots and apples,” she said with a smile.