Wellington, Florida, USA – November 26, 2022 – Competition commenced on Wednesday, November 23, with the 72nd Annual South Florida Hunter Jumper Association (SFHJA) at Wellington International. The highlight event of the week took place on Saturday evening as horses-and riders competed under the lights for the lion’s share of the prize money in the $40,000 Spy Coast & Sweet Oak Farm Grand Prix. In a competitive jump-off, Tanner Korotkin (USA) and Rupert Winkelmann’s Quinn 33 sped through the course to land on the winning time at the final fence.
“It was definitely a tough class with a lot of good riders and good horses,” recalled Korotkin. “I came here equipped with three of my horses – one of my main ones, my younger one, and Quinn, who is just an absolute machine. I knew I had one of the best horses in the class and one of the fastest, so I knew if I was clear, I had what it takes to win.”
From a starting order of 36 talented teams, Oscar Soberon’s (USA) opening track saw just nine pairs clear the course to advance to the jump-off. Korotkin and Quinn 33 were the fourth partnership to test the track and sped through the course in 40.664 seconds, finishing nearly six seconds faster than the previous frontrunners. Five more pairs chased their time, three of which completed the pattern penalty-free, but none of them could catch the leading time.
“The course itself was great and it was a good start to the night classes here in Florida. It was tough enough and asked a lot of questions. Overall, to have nine riders go clear from 36 [starters] isn’t too bad,” commented Korotkin.
With a clear time of 41.874 seconds, Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Out of the Blue SCF, owned by Spy Coast Farm, LLC, secured second place.
David O’Brien (USA) claimed the final podium spot with Darius de Kezeg Z, owned by Postage Stamp Farm, LLC, in a double-clear time of 42.509 seconds.
“I’m planning on doing Voloz Diamond next week in the four-star Grand Prix, and Quinn will do some of the four-star ranking classes. I’m planning to compete with Orwell this winter season and try to get him in the three-star stuff. He’s only eight, so we’re slowly stepping him into some of the bigger stuff, but we did some FEI classes this summer. Korotkin concluded, “WeWe havhave a lot of verot of very big goabig goals this WEF and after WEF, and my hs forses are gr WEF 2023 and after WEF, and my horses are going ggreeat. So I’m vet. I’m very excitey excited to kick kick this season off and get into some of the bigger classes again this season. off and get into some of the bigger classes again this season”
Final Results – $40,000 Spy Coast & Sweet Oak Farm Grand Prix
1) Tanner Korotkin (USA) & Quinn 33 – 0 / 0 – 40.664
2) Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Out of the Blue SCF – 0 / 0 – 41.874
3) David O’Brien (IRL) & Darius de Kezeg Z – 0 / 0 – 42.509
Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.
Photo: © ESP / Carly Nasznic Photography
Categories: CSN, English, Jumper News USA
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