Roberto Teran riding Polyfax for owners King Ridge Stables © Flashpoint Photography

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL (January 29, 2006) — Roberto Teran of Reddick, FL, riding Polyfax, a 13-year-old Westphalian stallion for owners King Ridge Stables, won the Jacksonville Winter A-Z $35,000 Grand Prix presented by Outback Steakhouse.

Take a little sunshine with a gentle breeze, add a tasty steak luncheon, the fun of a Silent Auction, sprinkle with a few adorable Jacksonville Zoo residents and top it all off with 27 talented show jumpers. That would be the perfect afternoon at the Clay County Fairgrounds, which so many enjoyed today. To kick off the main event, spectators were treated to the return of the very entertaining Celebrity ride featuring local TV, radio, and sports personalities trying their hand at “riding” several of the wonderful “volunteer” horses courtesy of various North Florida board members. Following this prelude came the Clay County NJROTC color guard along with Megan Sink singing our National Anthem and then it was showtime.

At 2:00 sharp the first competitor crossed through the end gate to take on course designer Allen Rheinheimer’s 14-obstacle test of skill and nerves. “They enjoyed a “Welcome” on Thursday so let’s see what they can really do now” he commented with a smirk. From the starting fence, an oxer, riders made the first of several sweeping turns in the course. The first challenge came with a narrow “skinny” vertical at fence three followed by a tight turn into a three bar at fence four. While fence five looked to be a simple vertical many a rider found faults there as they banked left for the big Swedish oxer at fence six. Coming off of jump six the horses faced temptation when turning towards the end gate as they headed for fence seven’s oxer only to make an almost instant turn right for fence eight, a vertical plank. Another left turn brought them to the Liverpool at fence nine and directly into the first combination, fence 10 a-b was both oxers. Yet another turn for skinny vertical jump eleven and a very tight right turn-roll back to oxer fence twelve as both horse and rider began to struggle for the momentum needed to cover the triple combination of fence 13a-b-c, a 2 stride to a 1 stride to a 2 stride and the speed to cross the tall vertical finishing fence fourteen. The time allowance of 92 seconds never became an issue. “The combination at the end, coming home got a little tough. The horses can get tired by that point.” Teran said of his first ride.

Roberto and Polyfax’s first round time of 80.196 put them as the seventh of eight to go clear and return for the jump off. “It was a really nice course, technical but nice; big enough and comfortable to ride,” Teran commented of the layout. Despite being a mere 6-obstacle jump off the course proved just as technical from the starting fence of the Swedish oxer to a wicked hard left turn into a combination and flat out run to the high vertical jump finish. “Polyfax is a very good vertical jumper, he did it in 3 strides without having to run and no one else was doing that. It worked,” Roberto laughed while petting his mount. Teran and Polyfax have been partners for 2 years, sharing victories at Spruce Meadows, West Palm, and Ocala. He plans to ride for the Columbian team at the upcoming Nations Cup. “A very brave heart” is how Roberto describes Polyfax. “I know him well and we trust each other,” he added. Polyfax and Roberto will return for the finale Grand Prix of the Jacksonville Winter Series on February 4th.

Rider-owner Wilhelm Genn with his mount Happy Z took the second award with a time of 41.688. Following in third place was Wilhelm again, this time aboard Le Argento for owners Harry and Cary Van Wormer. The fourth award was presented to owner-rider Tracy Magness and Kilpatrick with a finishing time of 44.163. And rounding out the top five was Kyle King with Kosta for owner Bradley Cox with 4 faults but a blistering time of 37.154.

There is still another week for exhibitors and spectators to take the chance on winning a 2006 Pontiac Torrant SUV, generously contributed by the Coggin Automotive Group of Orange Park, FL, and valued at over $25,000. A gift of $20 for one raffle ticket or $100 for six tickets could make you a winner. All proceeds will be donated to the Marine Corps Reserve Association Foundation. The drawing will be held on Saturday, February 4th, during the Grand Prix.

The Jacksonville Winter Series continues until February 5th with classes Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 9:00AM until about 5:00PM, except for special events mentioned on Saturday evenings. Admission to the shows is free. A $5 donation is requested for special events, which in turn is given to the series’ various charities. Following the Jacksonville Winter Series the Sunshine Circuit continues with three weeks of USEF AA rated competitions in Pensacola, FL, at the Escambia Equestrian Center. This portion of the circuit will be dedicated to the communities of the Gulf Coast so devastated by Hurricane Katrina, with special guests from Gulfport and fund raising events to further aid those in need.

For more information or results on the 2006 Jacksonville Winter Series please visit www.ClassicCompany.com or call the show office at (904) 284-9492.