Megan Edrick and Cadence Triumph in $31,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix

Wellington, FL - December 1, 2011 - Megan Edrick and Cadence jumped to an exciting victory in the $31,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix CSI 2* at Equestrian Sport Production's Holiday and Horses competition on Thursday afternoon. The win was Edrick's fourth grand prix victory of the year with Cadence after topping a class in St. Louis this summer and recently earning back to back victories in Atlanta. The rider won her very first grand prix just last summer.
The $31,000 Holiday and Horses Opener saw 46 entries in the first round of competition showing over a course set by Anthony D'Ambrosio. Seventeen were able to clear the course without fault, and sixteen of those entries returned for the jump-off.

Andres Rodriguez was first to return over the short course and jumped clear and fast aboard Arao Enterprises' Caballito, setting the time to beat at 38.08 seconds. Rodriguez and Caballito held the lead through fourteen rounds, almost securing a wire to wire victory, until Megan Edrick and Cadence entered the ring. Last to go in the order, Edrick and Cadence took over the top spot with a time of 37.84 seconds, pushing Rodriguez into second place.

Margie Engle and Lord Spezi, owned by Ashland Farms, finished in third with a clear jump-off round in 42.24 seconds. Pablo Barrios and Gustavo Mirabal's G&C Con Air were right behind with a time of 42.46 seconds to finish fourth. Cara Raether placed fifth riding Saskia 269, owned by Trelawny Farm LLC, stopping the clock in 44.70 seconds.

Class winner Megan Edrick is originally from Agoura, CA, but now lives in Ocala, FL, working for trainer Don Stewart. The rider has owned Cadence, a ten-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cardento, for two years.  "I am so excited and so happy," Edrick beamed after her win. "That horse is the best horse I have ever ridden!"

"I am here for just a week and I am having the best time," she smiled. "I have won four grand prix this year now, so that was exciting. He is super."

Edrick described her horse, stating, "He suits his name, he just has a cadence about him. He has the biggest stride; a slow, steady stride. He is better when he is fresh and wild, but he is always calm and relaxed, so I tried to jazz him up. I watched Andres go because he was the first one to go and he was so fast, but I stuck to the plan and it was my day. I just had to go faster."

Edrick plans to show in Saturday night's $50,000 Holiday and Horses CSI 2*-W Grand Prix.

The ESP Holiday and Horses competition will continue tomorrow with a $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m FEI class as the highlight event in the International Arena. The $50,000 Holiday and Horses CSI 2*-W Grand Prix will be held under the lights on Saturday night, and competition will conclude on Sunday with a $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

Final Results: $31,000 Holiday and Horses Opener
1 CADENCE, MEGAN EDRICK (USA), PROCEDURES, INC.: 0/0/37.84
2 CABALLITO, ANDRES RODRIGUEZ (VEN), ARAO ENTERPRISES: 0/0/38.08
3 LORD SPEZI, MARGIE ENGLE (USA), ASHLANDS FARMS: 0/0/42.24
4 G&C CON AIR, PABLO BARRIOS (VEN), GUSTAVO MIRABAL: 0/0/42.46
5 SASKIA 269, CARA RAETHER (USA), TRELAWNY FARM LLC: 0/0/44.70
6 SUPER TROOPER DE NESS, KATHERINE DINAN (USA), GRANT ROAD PARTNERS: 0/0/45.65
7 BOGEGARDENS APOLLO, EMILIE MARTINSEN (DEN), EMILIE MARTINSEN: 0/0/46.51
8 WATERLOO, SCHUYLER RILEY (USA), M. MICHAEL MELLER: 0/1/48.59
9 FATALIS FATUM, DANIEL BLUMAN (COL), DANIEL BLUMAN: 0/4/37.42
10 URAYA, CHARLIE JAYNE (USA), PONY LANE FARM: 0/4/37.77
11 UTAH, LESLIE HOWARD (USA), UTAH GROUP: 0/4/39.55
12 G&C FLASH, PABLO BARRIOS (VEN), G&C FARM: 0/4/41.23

Photo Credit: Megan Edrick and Cadence won the $31,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix. Photos © ManciniPhotos, www.manciniphotos.com.