Wellington, Florida – February 27, 2019 – Taylor Land (USA) piloted Pinetree Farm’s Get Go to a win in the $8,000 7-Year-Old Jumper class to kick off the 2019 Deeridge Derby, the final event of the 2019 Palm Beach Masters Series®.
 
Land and Get Go (Grey Top x Wantana) were the last to enter the ring for the 1.30m two phase competition set by Phil DeVita (USA), and the pair executed. With all combinations moving on to the second phase regardless of fault, Land and her mount produced a double clear performance and the quickest second phase, crossing the timers in 34.741 seconds.
 
Ariel Grange’s Khaleesi and Hyde Moffat (CAN) placed second with a double-clear performance and a second phase time of 35.553 seconds, while Cyran Itzkovitz (FRA) rode Susan Stone’s Thomascourt Caprice to third place honors; that duo crossed the timers in 35.937 seconds after two clear phases.
 
“I just love him so much,” said Land of Get Go, whom she affectionately calls, "Grumbles." “I think he had so much fun today. Deeridge is such an awesome venue. It can be a little spooky, but I’m very proud of [my mount] for going around like a made horse.”

Land used her horse's large stride to her advantage, and she attributes her victory to a key leave-out and her ability to maintain a forward rhythm throughout the course.

“He has a huge stride, so the course was good for me,” Land detailed. “There were long, bending lines, so we could do the leave-outs. We did seven to the Boston Bruins jump; when I walked the course, I was just sure that he could do that, and he did it so easily. That definitely shaved a bit of time.

“He was also really nice and ride-able in the last line,” she continued. “I could continue forward all the way to the jump before the last combination. I didn’t have to take any extra steps to slow down to help set him up for the [final element, the] double verticals.”

Land and “Grumbles” have been partnered since the gelding’s 5-year-old year. With his flashy movement and tidiness over the fences, Land originally thought the bay might be destined for the hunter ring. However, his affinity for speed won out, and now Land has her sights set on what she hopes will be a successful grand prix career.

“I’m planning to continue [competing him in] the 7-year-olds this year, and probably toward the end of the year, we will step up into a few 1.40m [classes],” she said. “I think he’ll jump 1.45m by the end of his 8-year-old year. I think he’ll be a real grand prix horse.”

Earlier in the day, North Star’s I-Am-Unostar and Charlotte Jacobs (USA) won the $5,500 6-Year-Old Jumper class. Jacobs and I-Am-Unostar (Numero Uno x Vabianca) positively blazed the trail. They jumped the two-phase 1.20m competition without fault and crossed the second-phase timers in 32.587 seconds—more than six seconds ahead of Cladia Sovero’s SYL Dandy and Daniela Cordero (DOM), who finished the second phase in 38.821 seconds. William Hickey (IRL) and North Star’s Ina Ballet du Rouet were third after jumping both phases cleanly and finishing the second phase in 43.152 seconds.

“I started riding ‘Unostar’ at the beginning of this year,” said Jacobs.  “I rode him a little as a 4- and 5-year-old, just on the flat. I sold one of my horses at the start of the year, so I took him as a replacement.  He is a really nice horse.  He can be a bit spooky and green, but I just try to give him as positive of a ride as I can, and so far it has gone well.
 
“His jump is very smooth and continuing,” she continued. “He never over-jumps. It is more of an equitation style, with economical movement, and he always knows where his feet are.  The one thing about him is that he likes to go around with his nose poked out on a long stride. You have to reel him in and put him together when you are showing.”
 
David Power (IRL) rode Equinimity LLC’s Out Of Sight to victory in the $3,500 5-Year-Old Jumper class.  Out Of Sight (Call Me Number 1 x Kannan S Gigi Z) and Power were the only combination to complete the 1.10m course without fault.

Competition continues Thursday at the Deeridge Derby with more young jumper action and ticketed warm-ups for hunter competitors.

About the Palm Beach Masters Series®
The Palm Beach Masters Series® hosts top international equestrian competitors from across the U.S. and abroad. Beginning with one elite competition in 2016, the series has grown into one of the sport’s most reputable events, hosting the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Wellington, the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA, and the Deeridge Derby. The show grounds are located at the spectacular Deeridge Farms, situated in the heart of North American equestrian sport in Wellington, Florida. Award-winning landscaping surrounds the custom-built show grounds and the facilities that host the series. The events’ picturesque location, unrivaled hospitality, and world-class facilities guarantee a on-of-a-kind experience for competitors and spectators alike.
 
The 2019 Deeridge Derby is a USEF nationally rated show, where the nation’s most elegant show hunters take center stage, along with young jumpers. They’ll compete in prestigious classes, highlighted by the highly competitive $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Further information on the Palm Beach Masters Series is available at www.palmbeachmasters.com.

By Palm Beach Master Series Press Release