Angel Karolyi and Galant Kick Off Week II of Atlanta Spring Classics with Win

Conyers, GA - One of Aiken, SC’s newest arrivals Angel Karolyi scored a triumph in this afternoon’s Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake with partner Galant the 16 year-old Selle Francis gelding owned by McLain Ward.

San Marcos, CA resident Rob Gage has taken up the reins of designer for the jumpers during this final week of spring competition. “I’m hoping to get at least half the field clear today.” Gage commented prior to the start of the 10 obstacle, 12-effort challenge he’d planned for the 18 horse-rider teams. Round one had an 81 second allowance to conquer a lengthy layout, which included 2 sets of double combinations and a fair share of tough turns. Hands down the bogey fence in round one was the #5 wide oxer which upon clearing riders had to roll back left and wide to make the short distance to the double verticals at 6AB. The confusion or speed of approach to the 5th element may be the explanation for a couple of horses attempting to just proceed straight ahead from #5 and easily the answer to their acquiring faults. “You needed to jump #4 [oxer] a bit to the outside. #3 to #4 kind of set you to come in on an angle to #5, so you really needed to jump this [#4] straight to get a good canter into #5 and not worry about getting a back rail.”  Angel shared his strategy of clearing the widest fence on course.

“Very comfortable course.” continued today’s young victor, “I had to be concerned on my left turns with Galant and I was a bit concerned from 9B to 10 with a slight bending to the left.” Angel’s reference to the 9AB combination of oxer in vertical out found some zealous horses looking beyond the task at hand to the end gate and almost missing that slight arc left to the final #10 oxer. More than a few time faults could easily be attributed to this line.  Not so for Angel and Galant who posted a clear time of 74.788 and became the 10th of the 11 making it to the deciding final round. Earlier in the order Angel had gone clean with his first ride Noble Carthago the up and coming young horse owned by Paxton Mendelssohn in a time of 77.148.

Gage’s 7-effort jump off layout utilized the #1 oxer start fence again and from there a serious turns that lead back to the #5 wide oxer, but this time riders continued over it to sweep around the arena’s “island” then slice across the #14 vertical to an immediate left turn across the ring to the last in-out combo of vertical to oxer. Agility and speed were the key factors to beating the clock despite the very generous 50-second limit.

Among those joining Angel were seasoned riders Daniel Geitner with the Kathleen Feeley owned Gladiator, Irishman Patrick Overlund-O’Brien riding the Irish Oaks entry Simply SM, Canadian great Margie Gaylord with two mounts of the Wingberry Farm- Show Girl and Winston, and siblings Elizabeth Towell Boyd on her First Lady along with newly turned pro, brother Jack Hardin Towell also with two mounts-his own Boo Vanhect and sister Elizabeth’s Rockefeller. From the first round Geitner and Gladiator had a blazing time of 73.410 and this momentum followed into the jump off as they held the lead with an equally amazing clear time of 38.710.  Angel said of his first track, “I really tried to catch Daniel with Noble and I didn’t. I asked myself where did I miss time?” The pair had a clean run at 39.170. Trainer Andrea King added, “Noble is a lot greener-more careful so there’s still a lot to learn.” Angel agreed with that assessment then concluded, “I think I took my time a little more between #2 and #3; and that’s ok.”

A former Young Rider Champion from Monterrey, Mexico the emerging pro navigated Galant through the second round with all the poise of the horse’s Olympic medal winning owner McLain Ward scoring a clean and fast 37.819 seconds to take the lead from Geitner with only one horse remaining to challenge him. Rockefeller and Hardin Towell gave it their best, but as the clock stopped at 40.329 the victory officially became Angel’s.  

In noting his calm demeanor and apparent joy of the ride, a broad smile and chuckle escaped Angel as he shared the reason, “It’s what I’ve always loved and since I was very young I’ve tried very hard.” Given his lineage, a stepfather who is currently riding in the Olympic trials for Mexico and a mother who rode with another Olympic great Joe Fargis it’s not hard to see where his enthusiasm for the sport derives from. “Now I ride with Andréa [King] and I believe I ride even more.” he stated with a lot of pride, “She’s really taught me to enjoy it. Not to stress so much. I did Ocala this winter and I learned a lot there.” A laughing Andrea added, “From week one to week five! He learned a lot!” Angel explained his ride on Galant began there [Ocala] with a fall off the spirited chestnut in the schooling ring and now they’ll celebrate their first victory together after just a few weeks time.  Angel will return Sunday for the $25,000 Grand Prix with no fears or worries, just a smile and determination to improve his abilities.

Official results for the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake include winners Angel Karolyi and Galant with a clear final time of 37.819. Second place went to Daniel Geitner aboard Gladiator going clear in 38.710. Third went Mariano Bedoya Guido and Troubador for owner The Bullneck Barn with a fault free time of 39.325. Fourth place went to Sulu Rose-Reed on the Galloping Field entry Leondor with a clean time of 39.941. And completing the top five was owner-rider Elizabeth Boyd and First Lady with a clean finish in 39.983. 

The Atlanta Spring Classics continue through April 6th with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday each week. Classes begin daily at 8AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is free and each Sunday afternoon will host an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event. For more information or results on the Spring Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 770-602-2510.

Photo: Angel Karolyi & Galant ©Flashpoint Photography