Wellington, Florida, USA – January 21, 2020 – Sydney Shulman (ISR) turned 26 years old in style with a win aboard Azilis du Mesnil on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village on Thursday, January 21, as CSI3* competition gets underway at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Shulman and the 11-year-old Selle Français mare, owned by Jill Shulman put forth a clear effort in the two-phase competition stopping the clock in 30.76 seconds. The dynamic duo are no strangers to the success on the grass after regularly campaigning last season in the Hermès U25 series, capturing the overall title for 2020.
“This is definitely one of the better birthdays. You can’t do better than this, first class of the day, winning, on your birthday,” she said with a big smile. “I absolutely love jumping on the grass and this field. The course was great especially for my horse. She has a massive stride, especially off the left lead, and the two places to leave out were off the left so I was thrilled with it. She jumped beautifully.”
Like many riders competing in the first few weeks of WEF, Shulman gave her horse some time off leading up to the opening of the winter circuit. The break was a decision based on a successful but heavy competition schedule last year and the plan has paid off thus far.
“She feels better than ever before,” said Shulman. “She’s a great horse – really simple, brave, really competitive, and super game. I can’t speak more highly about her. I’m thrilled with how she performed, and the course worked out in our favor today.”
Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) and Cadans Z, a 12-year-old Zangersheide mare owned by Starlight Farms 1, LLC, found themselves in podium position taking home second place honors in a time of 30.80 seconds.
U.S. Olympic team gold medalist Laura Kraut (USA) and St. Bride’s Farm’s 12-year-old Selle Français mare Fleurette rounded out the top three placings in a time of 31.23 seconds.
Coming off a stellar third place finish in the $137,000 Wellington Regional Medical Center Grand Prix CSI3* on Saturday night, Shulman was forced to rest, without riding her horses, leading up to Thursday’s competition.
“I have to say thank you to my team at Back Country Farm because I have an injury, and I haven’t ridden since Saturday night,” she said. “They have been riding my horses every day. It really goes to show that it’s a team effort. They prepared her, they’ve been riding her all week, they brought her to the ring, and I’m really grateful for them.”
Shulman hopes she won’t have to miss any time from competition moving forward.
Final Results – $6,000 Douglas Elliman FEI 1.45m Jumpers
1) Sydney Shulman (ISR) & Azilis du Mesnil – 0 / 0 – 30.76
2) Adrienne Sternlicht (USA) & Cadans Z – 0 / 0 – 39.80
3) Laura Kraut (USA) & Fleurette – 0 / 0 – 31.23
4) Peter Lutz (USA) & Excellent – 0 / 0 – 32.85
5) Fabio Leivas da Costa (BRA) & Verdi O’Merveilles – 0 / 0 – 33.21
6) Lorcan Gallagher (IRL) & Hunters Conlypson II – 0 / 0 – 33.26
7) Hilary McNerney (USA) & Chuck 27 – 0 / 0 – 33.50
8) Bliss Heers (USA) & Christos – 0 / 0 – 33.61
9) Lacey Gilbertson (USA) & Bijzonder – 0 / 0 – 33.72
10) Carly Anthony (USA) & Hera de Landette II – 0 / 0 – 35.17
11) Mario Deslauriers (CAN) & Bardolina 2 – 0 / 0 – 37.50
12) Karrie Rufer (USA) & Mr. Europe – 0 / 0 – 37.85
Source: Press release (edited) by Kate Pettersen / Jennifer Wood Media Inc. for ESP – Equestrian Sports Productions / PBIEC – Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
Photos: © Sportfot
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