Bond Tops Sac Welcome

By Serena Slocum October 4, 2013

Ashlee Bond and Chela LS blew away the competition, winning the $33,000 Welcome Grand Prix by almost four full seconds at the Sacramento International Horse Show’s World Cup Week.

Gusty winds threatened tents, show set-ups and anything not tightly bound down on the second day of the show, which runs Oct. 1-6 at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA. At 55.71 seconds Bond was the fastest of 10 clears among 55 entries that competed over Heiko Wahlers’ course under Thursday night lights on Oct. 4.

Duncan McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy were second at 59.92 seconds, and Michelle Parker on Socrates De Midos third at 60.26.

The speed class (no jump off) was an FEI qualifier for Saturday’s $54,000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Sacramento CSI-W 1.60.

The Sacramento International Horse Show, a partnership of Dale Harvey and Rudy Leone, continues to be a destination event, drawing top drawer riders from among the West Coast and the international community. In addition to Bond, global contenders taking to the field this week include Will Simpson, Nayel Nassar, Saer Coulter, Karl Cook, Eric Navet and Markus Beerbaum. They join national superstars Susan Hutchinson, Duncan McFarlane, Harley Brown, Joie Gatlin and Macella O’Neill.

German course designer Wahlers makes a huge contribution to the Sacramento International’s ongoing success, according to Leone, who is the event’s technical director. “He is a genius and you can quote me,” said Leone, whose association dates back five years.  “When you have a great course designer, it makes the show happen; the rest follows. We had 71 in the grand prix for Welcome Week”  (won by Tatiana Dzavik and Delphine DH), Sept. 24-29.  “Not bad for up here in cow country!”

Hearing Leone speak about horse shows, it’s clear they are his passion. “I do the footing and own the jumps and help with the  arena decorations, and Dale Harvey, my partner, has an amazing touch when it comes to the overall feel of an event and making it special. Between Heiko and Dale and me, the combination of all of our contributions make it the success it is.”

The hunter-jumper action continues non-stop through the weekend with horses and riders readying for high visibility events that in addition tothe World Cup qualifier include Saturday’s $2,500 Land Rover Ride and Drive, a $4,000 High Jump and on Sunday the $25,000 iJump Sports Open Jumper Stake 1.40m.

 

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