Press release from Equestrian Sport Productions

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).

International jumper competition continues throughout the week on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and is highlighted by the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 on Friday, Saturday’s $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Jumper Classic and $10,000 Hermès U25 Welcome, and a thrilling Sunday of competition featuring the $137,000 Restylane Grand Prix CSI3* followed by the $25,000 Hermès U25 Grand Prix. Don’t miss a minute of the action with feature classes available to watch for free on the livestream.

Shulman and the 11-year-old Selle Francais 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 and St. Bride’s Farm’s 12-year-old Selle Francais 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.

Wrapping up the day at Equestrian Village with a victory was Abdel Said (EGY) aboard Bandit Savoie, owned by Abdel Said and AS Sport Horses, who topped a field of 71 combinations to take home the win in the $1,000 FEI Bainbridge 1.40m Jumpers.

1. AZILIS DU MESNIL: 2010 Selle Français mare by Tinka’s boy x Jarnac
SYDNEY SHULMAN (ISR), Jill Shulman: 0/0/30.76

2. CADANS Z: 2009 Zangersheide mare by Carosso VDL x Navarone
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT (USA), Starlight Farms 1, LLC: 0/0/39.80

3. FLEURETTE: 2009 Selle Français mare by Verdi TN x Kiss Me Not De Breve
LAURA KRAUT (USA), St. Bride’s Farm: 0/0/31.23

4. EXCELLENT: 2009 KWPN gelding by Cicero Z van Paemel x Ahorn
PETER LUTZ (USA), Bosch Sport Horses: 0/0/32.85

5. VERDI O’MERVEILLES: 2009 Selle Français gelding by Verdi x O’my Star
FABIO LEIVAS DA COSTA (BRA), Bonne Chance Farm, LLC: 0/0/33.21

6. HUNTERS CONLYPSO II: 2008 Hanoverian gelding by Contendro I x Calypso II
LORCAN GALLAGHER (IRL), Dacantos Group: 0/0/33.26

7. CHUCK 27: 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Cassus 2 x Ravenna
HILARY MCNERNEY (USA), Hilary McNerney: 0/0/33.50

8. CHRISTOS: 2009 Holsteiner gelding by Cristo 5 x Linaro
BLISS HEERS (CAN), Bridgeside Farms LLC: 0/0/33.61

9. BIJZONDER: 2006 KWPN gelding by Acodetto I x Quite Easy I
LACEY GILBERTSON (USA), Seabrook, LLC: 0/0/33.72

10. HERA DE LANDETTE II: 2012 KWPN mare by Bustique x Coco De Landetta
CARLY ANTHONY (USA), Portfolio Horses, LLC: 0/0/35.17

11. BARDOLINA 2: 2009 Holsteiner mare by Clarimo x Landos
MARIO DESLAURIERS (CAN), Wishing Well Farm, LLC: 0/0/37.50

12. MR. EUROPE: 2009 KWPN gelding by Mr. Blue x Z-Liva Rv
KARRIE RUFER (USA), Morning Star Sporthorses, LLC: 0/0/37.85