January 29, 2007

Daniel Geitner Has All That “January Jazz” Capturing $25,000 GALA Grand Prix

Folsom, LA—Daniel Geitner, of Aiken, S.C.’s DFG Stables, dominated GALA’s January Jazz II competition in Folsom LA., last week. The Hunter Champion and prominent trainer piloted his mount, Trading Places, to top honors in both the opening $5,000 Welcome Stake and the closing $25,000 Grand Prix on Jan 27.

In the days following the Welcome, the weather in Folsom turned rainy and cold. Geitner, nevertheless, turned up the heat for the Saturday Prix, steering Places, an 8-year-old Argentine Warmblood owned by DFG client Kyle Register, through the 15-obstacle course designed by GALA show manager Tommy McIntyre for the Grand Prix Ring.

Of the 19 competitors, eight went clean in the first round. “The course proved very difficult. The triple combination toward the end of the course was especially tricky,” said Geitner, who added that despite the rain the “footing held up great.” In the jump-off Tracy Fenney, aboard Mtm Centano, and Kyle King, on Capone I, went early in the order of go and set a blistering pace for Geitner to catch. “Trading Places was last in the jump-off,” said Geitner, “and was very quick and clean.” In the end, Geitner and his mount bested six clean jump-off rounds. King and Fenney took second and third place, respectively.

Geitner also navigated two other mounts in the GP: the Tara Bostwick-owned Sympa, an 8-year old Rhinelander Mare who landed 7th place, and the Sara Stumberg-owned Snook, an 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding who came in 10th.

DFG Stables is a highly rated equestrian center based in Aiken, S.C., owned and operated by Geitner. His training techniques and skill as a clinician have earned him a roster of top-level clients from throughout the eastern United States.

Photo by Photo Rodeo South, Photographer Connie Kelts