Emily Wygod riding Lavaro for owners River Edge Farm © Flashpoint Photography

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL (February 2, 2006) — Emily Wygod of San Diego, CA, currently a student at Duke University in Raleigh, NC, rode Lavaro, a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding for owners River Edge Farm, to victory in the Jacksonville Winter Finale Lucky Sevens Open Welcome presented by The Farm House Tack Store.

This week’s course designer, Pierre Jolicoeur of Culpepper, VA, said of his first round 12-obstacle layout, “I want to keep it simple so that I can gage what I have coming into this week’s Grand Prix.” With a time allowance of 85 seconds, most of the 24 starters found the “flowing” turns a bit more technical than the designer did. “Basically this is a nice warm up for them; give them a chance to test the footing,” Pierre stated. The layout did offer some interesting test of footing and control with a big sweep right off of vertical fence three into oxer fence four, as well as two sets of combinations that riders came into from big turns. Emily and Lavaro’s first round time of 73.580 was more than enough to assure her a spot in the second round. “Technically it was challenging but the heights seemed a little smaller,” Wygod spoke of the first round course.

Much like last week’s class, 18 riders went clear and with a 43 second time allowance the jump off layout of 6 obstacles became a true dash for the cash. The tight spot was a turn and long run off the number 13 fence to vertical fence 14 then into a wicked roll back to fence number 6. The need for speed became the real challenge here. Lavaro and Emily met the challenge head on in a clear time of 29.300. “It was a good jump off! I’ll have both my mounts back for the Grand Prix this weekend,” she commented afterwards.

Second place was awarded to Continental B with owner-rider Lila Sessums in the irons and a jump off time of 30.193. Coming back for third was Emily Wygod riding Kennedy for owners River Ridge Farm, with a finishing time of 30.290 seconds. Fourth position went to last week’s Welcome winner Henry Pfeiffer riding Houston for owners Fox Meadow Farm with a time of 30.331. And in the fifth spot was Henry again for Fox Meadow Farm with Preston in 30.483 seconds.

Owner-rider Christine Kear and her partner Lauderdale © Flashpoint Photography

From the Hunter divisions’, rider Jeffrey Ayers and Lothario for owner Gerald Camera won the championship in the 1st Year Green Working Hunters. Nashea Powell and Roulette, owned by Alice Dunn, are 2nd Year Green Working Hunter champions this week. Owner-rider Christine Kear and her partner Lauderdale were named champions in the Green Conformation Hunters.

Two more days remain 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 public is invited to take advantage of an opportunity to see some of the country’s most talented show jumpers take on another challenging course this Saturday evening at 7:00PM. The Jacksonville Winter Finale $25,000 Grand Prix is sure to be an exciting finish as the five-week series draws to an end.

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.