Christina Vinios and Folkestone (Photo: SusanJStickle.com)

Wayne, IL– After taking the lead following Thursday’s FEI Prix St. Georges Test with a score of 72.895%, Heather Blitz (Medfield, Mass.) and Oak Hill Ranch LLC’s Danish Warmblood, Ripline, were poised to win it all. However, Thursday’s second-place finisher Christina Vinios (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Oldenburg, Folkestone, came from behind to win the Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship with an overall score of 71.248%. Vinios took today’s ride up a notch from the preliminary test and had a seemingly flawless final test highlighted by accuratechanges to score a 72.402%.

“I loved our test. A couple times I may have pushed a little too hard and had a few little bobbles, but I really wanted to fight for every point and show the horse the best that I could,” said Vinios.

Christina Vinios and Folkestone. (Photo: Annan Hepner)

Even with a nice canter tour, Blitz and Ripline placed eighth in the final test with a 68.333%. However, the strength of Thursday’s score gave them an overall score of70.158%. Although they could not match Thursday’s performance, Blitz noticed improvement.

“I liked the pirouettes better today, and the extended walk is always was one of the highlights. In general, he felt relaxed and I was super happy with him. Just to think a horse his age can be second in the country, I couldn’t be happier,” said Blitz.

Finishing fifth on Thursday with a score of 67.942%, Cesar Parra (White House Station, N.J.) and his and Martin Sosnof’s Fashion Designer OLD connected in the final test for a score of 71.422%. That was good enough to propel them into third place for a overall score of 70.030%.. Fashion Designer OLD exhibited a superb level of enagment, which was missing in the preliminary test, and executed graceful pirouettes and a great trot tour.

Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship Results