Darien, Connecticut, USA) – June 15, 2019 – The penultimate day of the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund, featured some of the region’s most talented horse-and-rider combinations, each taking to the ring for a shot at the top prize in the highlight class of the week, the $50,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix, also presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund. Besting a large 15-horse jump-off comprised of young riders and veterans from five nations, Ireland’s Kevin Mealiff (IRL) and BKS Horse Farms LLC’s Viper Vrombautshoeve Z proved to be the best performers of the night, leading the victory gallop and earning The Michael S. Griffin Memorial Grand Prix Trophy, donated by McLain Ward, as the fastest of only two double-clean pairs out of the initial field.

Serving as the successful trailblazers for the event, Mattias Tromp (USA) and Manhattan logged the first clear trip of the afternoon as the second pair over designer Philip DeVita’s 14-fence first round track, leaving all the fences upright within the 76-second time-allowed. Forcing a jump-off, Mealiff and Iliano Van D’Abelendreef subsequently added their names to the short course list with FEI World Equestrian Games™ team gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Pembroke immediately following suit. As the class progressed, foot-perfect rounds proved to be the norm, with 12 more partnerships successfully finishing the track without faults. Aboard their respective mounts, Stephanie Gallucci (CAN), Alexandra Pielet (USA), Colin Savaria (USA), Lauren Fischer (USA), Mark Bluman (COL), Sydney Shulman (ISR), McLain Ward (USA), Peter Leone (USA) and Jazz Johnson Merton (USA) each turned in eligible rides with no penalties.

With the first phase of the contest finished, 15 pairs were slated to return for the tie-breaker after clean initial trips, riding in the reverse order in which they qualified. Statistically, Mattias Tromp (USA), Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Kevin Mealiff (IRL) had the odds on their sides with the greatest chances of winning, each with two horses apiece qualified for the jump-off. Whittled down to eight efforts, the pattern saw its first double-clear effort of the class completed by Alexandra Pielet (USA) in the irons aboard Helene VE, setting the pace to beat in 36.493 seconds as the fifth duo in the start list.

Alexandra Pielet (USA) & Helene VE 

Chasing down the frontrunners, following challengers put the pressure on, but with only a handful left to ride Alexandra Pielet (USA) and Helene VE still sat atop the leaderboard. Mark Bluman (COL) with the ride on Cartouche and Sydney Shulman (ISR)  with Villamoura each bettered the leading pair’s time with marks of 35.186 seconds and 34.292 seconds, respectively, but both lowered a single fence to keep them out of contention for the title.

Sydney Shulman (ISR) & Villamoura

The third-to-last to tackle the track, Kevin Mealiff (IRL) and Viper Vrombautshoeve Z finally added another double-clean performance to the roster, crossing the finish line in 36.314 seconds, successful at ousting the top pair by mere milliseconds. As the last to go, Johnson Merton and Corona SB were the last obstacle standing in the way of the Irish team’s victory, but Mealiff’s champion status was secured when the final exhibitors dropped a rail, solidifying Kevin Mealiff (IRL) and Viper Vrombautshoeve Z as the winner of the $50,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix, presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund. Pielet and Co-Pielet LLC’s Helene VE captured second place overall as only the second duo to complete two fault-free trips, and Sydney Shulman (ISR) and Jill Shulman’s Villamoura rounded out the podium spots in third as the fastest of the 4-faulters.

Jumper competition will return Sunday to conclude the 88th Annual Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show, with a series of prize money Child/Adult and Junior/Amateur-Owner classics at various heights rounding out the week.

Winner’s Circle

Kevin Mealiff – $50,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix, presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund, Winner

On Viper Vrombautshoeve Z:
“We have had him four months now, and he is owned by a good friend of ours, Briley Koerner from Texas. I got the ride on him about four months ago, and we won the 2* grand prix at HITS two weeks ago – the $50,000. He was in really good form and he has been off since then. We just did a class yesterday for an easy round, and then today he was really good. He is really experienced in the ring, especially in the jump-off. He can do it really well.”

On his jump-off strategy:
“I was lucky enough to ride two in it, so I learned a lot from the first horse. It went to plan until the last jump. I knew going in on [Viper Vrombautshoeve EZ] as the second-to-last to go that I had a good plan. I just knew he is so experienced in the jump-off, we are gelling really well and we know each other so I knew I could dare him in a few places and he was going to be good.”

On the Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show:
“This is my fourth year here now and it just keeps getting better and better. The footing is really good today and everyone seems to be having fun today and enjoying it.”

Results – $50,000 Ox Ridge Grand Prix, presented by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund

Place / Horse / Rider / Country / R1 Faults | Time / R2 Faults | Time

1. Kevin Mealiff (IRL) & Viper Vrombautshoeve Z – 0 | 65.539 / 0 | 36.314

2. Alexandra Pielet (USA) & Helene VE – 0 | 64.245 / 0 | 36.493

3. Sydney Shulman (ISR) & Villamoura – 0 | 65.117 / 4 | 34.292

4. Mark Bluman (COL) & Cartouche  – 0 | 65.951 / 4 | 35.186

5. Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) & Fantast – 0 | 64.923 / 4 | 37.141

6. Mattias Tromp (USA) & Manhattan – 0 | 67.170 / 4 | 37.637

7. Peter Leone (USA) & E-Boy W – 0 | 65.385 / 4 | 38.732

8. Jazz Johnson Merton (USA) & Corona SB – 0 | 67.254 / 4 | 40.173

9. Stephanie Gallucci (CAN) & Sea Coast B 52 F Z – 0 | 66.535 / 4 | 40.367

10. McLain Ward (USA) & Zarina De Vidau – 0 | 62.804 / 8 | 34.653

11. Colin Savaria (USA) & Felex – 6 | 65.849 / 8 | 36.371

12. Mattias Tromp (USA) & Eyecatcher – 0 | 65.327 / 8 | 36.910

Source: Press release by Elaine Wessel / Phelps Media Group for Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show

Photos: © Phelps Sports / Barre Dukes / Callie Clement