Beezie Madden and Authentic Take the $15,000 Pasmore Cup; Kent Farrington Wins Atlas Fence Speed

Syracuse, NY:   The first night of international jumping at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament saw wins from Beezie Madden and the red-hot Kent Farrington. Madden took first in the $15,000 Pasmore Stables Horseman's Cup and Farrington won the $5,000 Atlas Fence Speed Challenge.

Madden's win started off the night. Making the time allowed on the Leopoldo Palacios-designed course proved to be a challenge for several riders. In the end, 10 riders accumulated time faults.  Michael Whitaker from Great Britain riding the stallion Insul Tech Mozart des Hayettes was the first clear round. Six riders later, McLain Ward on his mare, Phillipa also went clear. After the first eleven horses there was an intermission, and Geir Gulliksen of Norway opened the action for the evening phase. One time fault kept Gulliksen on his mount L'Espoir from returning for the jump off. Next to go on course was Piet Raijmakers riding his World Equestrian Games mount, Van Schindel's Curtis.   This pair made it looks easy and became the third combination in the jump-off. They were immediately followed by "Leaping" Leslie Howard riding Raimond W. This pair also had a clean round within the time allowed.

Five rounds later, the hometown favorite Beezie Madden riding her superstar Olympic mount, Authentic put in a fast and clean round to make it back for the jump-off. Other clear rounds were put in by Hidden Creek's Wapino ridden by Margie Engle, and Anne Kursinski on Roxanna 112. Cara Raether, a successful young international rider, on her horse Ublesco became the last pair to make the cut for the jump off.    In all, eight riders were qualified for the jump-off round, with Anne Kursinski electing not to bring her mare back for the tie breaker.

The jump-off got started with Michael Whitaker. His round was clear and careful, but Mozart bucked to show his displeasure after tapping a rail, which cost them some time. Next to go was McLain Ward attempting to beat Whitaker's 31.55 target. Ward's ride was quick and efficient, but a slightly wide turn after 7B cost them time, but still allowed them to best Whitaker with a 27.53 time. Piet Raijmaker's was next to go with the experienced Van Schindel's Curtis, but a quick knockdown put them out of contention. Beezie and Authentic were next to go and their smooth turns and roll backs shaved time and put them in the lead with 26.72. Margie Engle was in next with the very fast Wapino but the pair had a rail.  The final rider to go was Cara Raether with Ublesco, a powerful jumper but not as naturally fast as either Madden's Authentic or Ward's Phillipa.   Raether and Ublesco managed a time of 29.50 which earning them third place.

In Atlas Fence Speed action, thirty-one riders took on a course scored on time, and in which each dropped rail converted to 4 seconds added on the clock.   From the start of the competition, the riders seemed determined to accumulate points to secure a spot as one of the seven riders to compete in Sunday's Animal Planet Sport Horse Cup.

One of the hottest rider's on the North American circuit, Kent Farrington, won the class in speedy 43.27 with his mare Nerina. Olympian McLain Ward had held the lead on his experienced speed horse, Quo Vadis, until Farrington knocked him into second. Rounding out the top placings were Todd Minikus on his gelding Ultimo van ter Moude followed by Beezie Madden in fourth on her up and coming mare Onlight.   Ken Berkley and his speedy gray mare Parlay took home fifth place.

Full results and standings for the Animal Planet Sporthorse Cup are available on the Syracuse Invitational web site at www.SyracuseInvitational.com.

Tickets are still available for featured competitions (Friday at 7 PM; Saturday at 2PM and at 7PM; and Sunday at 2PM) range from $7.50 to $25.00.   Admission to the Equestrian Expo in the Oncenter is free. Tickets are available through the Oncenter Box Office at 315-435-2121 or from Ticket Master ( www.ticketmaster.com).

Each fall the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament welcomes the top-ranked equestrians from across the US and the world to downtown Syracuse to compete at the War Memorial Arena in the Oncenter Complex. Beginning October 31 and running through November 4, the 2007 event features a full slate of high-level competition, entertainment, shopping and exhibitions. A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, the Syracuse Invitational benefits Cornell University Equine Hospital and Vera House.

PHOTO CREDITS: Beezie Madden riding Authentic won the $15,000 Pasmore Stables Horseman's Cup at the War Memorial in Syracuse on Thursday night.
Kent Farrington and Nerina were winners of the $5,000 Atlas Fence Speed at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament.
Credit:  Reflections, Inc.