Ellie Ferrigno and Erika Jakobson Impress in ASPCA Maclay During WEF Week Eight

Wellington, Fla. – March 3, 2019 – Sunday morning of Week Eight at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) once again saw a number of competitors enter the ASPCA Maclay class held in Ring 9 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Split into two sections of 33 and 34 riders each, exhibitors first worked over a challenging track that included a four-stride to another four-stride line, where they had to extend through the first half and then collect their horses for the second half of the line. After each section, 12 riders were invited to return to test on the flat and were asked to demonstrate an extended canter, sitting trot and counter-canter. Ellie Ferrigno came out on top as the winner in Section A with HH Moonshine, while Erika Jakobson won Section B with California W Z.

Ellie Ferrigno and HH MoonShine

As the 30th rider in Section A, Ferrigno had the opportunity to watch plenty of others execute the course before making a plan for her horse. HH Moonshine is an 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Double H Farm, who asked Ferrigno to show him this season after she campaigned him a little in 2018. HH Moonshine is for sale, but Ferrigno hopes to qualify with him for the George Morris Equitation Championship during Week Eleven.

Alexandra Pielet and Big Star

In second place in Section A was James Faloni riding Acido 7, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Elizabeth Casey Bailey. Rounding out the top three was Alexandra Pielet and Big Star, a 13-year-old gelding owned by HC Sport Horses.

Erika Jakobson and California W Z

In Section B, Jakobson found her place in the winner’s circle on California W Z, a 12-year-old Zangershide owned by Chloe Stables LLC. She used the gelding’s natural step and ability to adjust to make light work of the tough line across the middle in the first over fences round and rode a smooth flat test to gain valuable ASPCA Maclay points.

Mimi Gochman and Kaskade

Coming in second was Mimi Gochman aboard Kaskade, a 13-year-old mare owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC. Taylor Griffiths rode Bella Vida, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Geddaway Farm, to third place.

Taylor Griffiths and Bella Vida

As riders look towards the George Morris Equitation Championship, scheduled for Friday, March 22, in the International Arena, they also have their sights set on qualifying for the prestigious ASPCA Maclay National Championship at the National Horse Show in November.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Ellie Ferrigno – ASPCA Maclay Section A winner

On HH Moonshine:
“HH Moonshine is owned by Double H Farm, and he is for sale. He started doing the equitation a little last year and I showed him last winter in the 3’6” equitation. This year, they asked if I could ride him again and he feels like he totally understands his job. He just has the most amazing feeling over the jumps and I always feel so beautiful on him.”

On the course:
“I loved the course. I thought it had its tricks and turns to it, but you could really show off if you were able to answer all of the questions. It was a good example of what you need to be able to do for the equitation.”

On her plans for the rest of WEF:
“In terms of the equitation, I want to just keep racking up points. I want to be able to go late in the order of the George Morris Equitation Championship. The goal is to keep getting good ribbons for qualifying points.”

Erika Jakobson – ASPCA Maclay Section B winner

On Calfornia W Z:
“He’s perfect and has been really good this season. I started riding him over the summer, near the end. He is owned by Chloe [Stables LLC].”

On Sunday’s course:
“I thought the course was really fitting for him because it was quite forward. He does that really well, and he still makes a nice jump. He is very adjustable, so the four to the four across the middle was perfect for him. It was a really nice course for him all around.”

On her plans for the rest of the season:
“I want to keep doing the equitation and get to know him better — he is still kind of new to me — then hopefully we’ll do well and do indoors together in the fall.”

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