New York, N.Y. – Sept. 21, 2017 – Bright lights and city skyscrapers laid the backdrop for world class show jumping featured in New York City’s iconic Wollman Rink at the southern part of Central Park, Manhattan. The Rolex Central Park Horse Show returned Wednesday for its fourth year to open with the U.S. Open Arabian Horse Show. Thursday kicked off the first day of jumping and highlighted the U.S. Open $40,000 FEI CSX Speed Class where Hardin Towell claimed the win aboard Lucifer V.
Thirty international riders challenged Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge’s 1.45m track, with judging based on the fastest time where faults resulted in additional seconds. Towell (USA) and the 11-year-old gelding, owned by Evergate Stables, were last in the ring, but came in with a vengeance after placing third in the $216,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping New York CSI4*-W at the American Gold Cup last weekend. The pair kept all rails up and flew to a quick time of 53.53 seconds.
Second place was awarded to Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Bacara D’archonfosse with a time of 55.75 seconds. Bluman and the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare dominated the Hampton Classic Horse Show earlier this month, winning the $300,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix CSI4*, the $86,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*, and the $40,000 SOVARO® Speed Stake.
Hot on their heels was Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili. Although they had one rail, their speedy time still landed them near the top of the leaderboard. The 12-year-old stallion flew to the fastest time of the night in 51.98 seconds which became a final time of 55.98 after the four penalties were added.
The evening started with the $5,000 Junior/Amateur 1.20m Jumper Speed Class where Mimi Gochman and Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s Avoloma BH took top honors and ended with the U.S. Open $50,000 Puissance where three of the five contenders tied for the win after four rounds. Emanuel Andrade and Clouwni; Kama Godek and De Grande; and Todd Minikus and VDL Excel jumped clear four rounds for the puissance wall to reach its maximum height of 6’9”.
Friday will feature the U.S. Open $25,000 U25 Grand Prix and U.S. Open $216,000 Grand Prix CSI 3* beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday will showcase the $50,000 Duchossios Cup Exhibition Sponsored by the Gochman Family & Dr. Betsee Parker and the $50,000 Arena Eventing Presented by Fite Group.
View the original article on Phelps Sports.