Richard Schechter, Chairman and CEO of The Bainbridge Companies, stands with Lorenzo de Luca and Dirka de Blondel in their winning presentation. Photo © Sportfot.
Press release from Equestrian Sport Productions
The $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m CSI5* concluded with a win for Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) aboard Dirka De Blondel.
Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) made the most of the space in the large arena and set a track that challenged riders to come home clear in less than 83 seconds. As a one-round speed course, the class saw the lead change hands several times before settling on its final victor. Israel’s Ashlee Bond produced the tightest time early in the class with Contefina LVF, and it appeared that the pair would be the class victors but with eight left to contest, de Luca shaved off precious time to shake up the order.
“I was planning to do one stride less in the end, but I didn’t see it,” explained De Luca. “Even so, she is very fast, and she has been winning a lot of her classes since we started this winter. I just started bringing her out for some international classes, and it has been going well so I am glad I can count on her.”
Lorenzo de Luca and Dirka de Blondel. Photo © Sportfot.
The nine-year-old Selle Francais mare (Very Berlin De Castel x Lauterbach) is one of several that de Luca now pilots for Poden Farms, and he said the level of quality horses he has this winter has made it the best season yet.
“This has been my best year here so far, without a doubt,” said de Luca. “I have a very good group of horses, and it is motivating to have a rider like Emily Moffitt who wants to step up and has good horses as well. I am busy all day, but I love what I do, and I could not ask for a better group of horses.”
Bond’s time of 64.26 seconds with Ashlee Bond Show Jumping’s 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Contefino 2 x South Pacific) held strong for the second-place position out of the 61 entries. Carlos Hank Guerriero (MEX) and H5 Sport Horses LLC’s 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding H5 Chacco-San (Chacco-Blue x Sandro Boy) slipped into third place by clocking in a clean round in 65.73 seconds.
Final Results: $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m CSI5*
1. DIRKA DE BLONDEL: 2013 Selle Francais mare by Very Berlin De Castel x Lauterbach
LORENZO DE LUCA (ITA), Poden Farms: 0/63.86
2. CONTEFINA LVF: 2012 Holsteiner mare by Contefino 2 x South Pacific
ASHLEE BOND (ISR), Ashlee Bond Show Jumping: 0/64.26
3. H5 CHACCO-SAN: 2011 Hannoverian gelding by Chacco-Blue x Sandro Boy
CARLOS HANK GUERREIRO (MEX), H5 Sport Horses LLC: 0/65.73
4. NANINI VAN D’ABELDREEF: 2013 BWP mare by Kannan x Heartbreaker
ERYNN BALLARD (CAN), Ilan Ferder and Esperanza Imports LLC: 0/66.95
5. CONTHINDER: 2011 OS gelding by Conthargos x Nintender
ANDRZEJ OPLATEK (POL), Gospodarstwo Rolne and Andrzej Oplatek: 0/67.46
6. FTS KILLOSSERY KONFUSION: 2010 ISH gelding by SIEC Livello x Cruising
JOS VERLOOY (BEL), Eurohorse BVBA: 0/67.85
7. NESPRESSO VAN’T LAEKHOF: 2013 BWP gelding by Cicero Z x Grandeur
NATALIE DEAN (USA), Marigold Sporthorses, LLC: 0/68.25
8. JIMINY CRICKET: 2011 Westphalian gelding by Colestus x Cornet Obolensky
NAYEL NASSAR (EGY), Evergate Stables, LLC: 0/68.97
9. CHILI: 2012 Westphalian mare by Consolidator x Berlin
RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA), Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC: 0/69.23
10. CADEAUMINKA: 2013 NRPS mare by Kannan x Jodokus
LILLIE KEENAN (USA), Chansonnette Farm LLC: 0/72.13
11. MYLORD MARLEY: 2012 Holsteiner gelding by Mylord Carthago*hn x Clarimo
EOIN MCMAHON (IRL), Beerbau, Stables: 0/72.23
12. VICTER FINN DH Z: 2008 Zangersheide gelding by Va Vite x Stakkato
EUGENIO GARZA PEREZ (MEX), El Milagro: 0/73.13
Then