Press release from Upperville Colt & Horse Show

Cathleen Driscoll and Flotylla bettered their third-place performance from Thursday’s Delta Air Lines FEI 4* Two Phase Stake by capturing the win in the $37,000 Turnham Green FEI 4* Upperville Speed Stakes at the 169th Upperville Colt & Horse show presented by MARS Equestrian™. Driscoll stopped the clock at 64.35 seconds, nearly three seconds faster than second place finisher Abigail McArdle and Victorio 5.

After walking the course, Driscoll knew it suited Flotylla, an 11-year-old Polish Warmblood mare owned by Don Stewart. “She has a big stride, and I can do leave outs where that’s an option,” she explained. “She is also very handy, and I was able to do the inside turn from fence one to two, which gave me a good advantage from the start."

The quick and tidy start proved to be the ideal set up for the rest of the course, as the pair stayed on their gallop, maintaining the momentum necessary to win the class of 20 starters.

Driscoll took the reins on Flotylla at the end of 2021, starting out in American Standard Grands Prix before making the leap to the FEI levels during the Florida circuit. “Flotylla is a wonderful horse, and she really shines in these 1.45 meter speed classes,” she said.

Driscoll joined the team at Plain Bay Farm three years ago and has quickly worked her way into opportunities of a lifetime and helping her check the proverbial goal boxes as she progressed. “The past three years have been unbelievable,” she smiled. “The Prudents are amazing and having them at the gate gives me so much confidence walking into the ring.”

“At Upperville last year, I jumped clear in my first Grand Prix, the American Standard, so it’s fun to come back a year later and pick up a win in a four star!”