For Immediate Release

Clara Lindner for Equestrian Sport Productions

Wellington, FL - February 25, 2010 - Week seven of the 12-week FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continued today, and this was the first day that hunter championships were awarded for the week. The Pre-Green Hunter competition took place over the past two days, and several championships were awarded in the different age and height groups.

Chris Payne, of Cincinnati, OH, piloted Del Rio to the championship in the Equisport Agency Inc. 3' Pre Green Hunters in Ring 6 today. Del Rio is owned by the Black Rabbit Ranch, which is based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. "He's very young and hasn't done a lot, but he has a great mind, and knows his job pretty well," Payne said of the four-year-old gelding.

This is a new partnership for Payne, who has only had the ride on Del Rio for a couple weeks. This was only the pair's second week competing together, and they earned a first, third, and sixth over jumps, as well as a fourth place in the under saddle to secure the championship with a total of 16.5 points. Just behind Del Rio with a total of 14 points was Jimmy Torano and Jessica Coppola's Gosford Park, who took home the reserve champion ribbon.

When asked what Del Rio is like to ride, Payne responded, "For a small horse, he's quite nice because he rides like a big one. He has a big stride, and has a lot of scope." Payne was impressed with Del Rio's rideability at such a young age, and thinks he will continue to improve with more experience. "I think he can move up to the First Years in the next week or two and be quite competitive there," Payne noted.

 

 

Chris Payne and Del Rio collect their
ribbon in the under saddle class.
 

Payne and his team at New Hope Farm will finish the circuit at the Winter Equestrian Festival and then plan to travel north for the summer.

Hunter action will continue tomorrow when Junior and Children's Hunters begin their competition for the weekend. The Fidelity Investments CSI 2* Week at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival will conclude this Sunday, February 28.

For full results please visit www.shownet.biz or www.equestriansport.com.

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 13 through April 4. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are "AA" rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $5.5 million in prize money will be awarded.

WEF is proud to be supported by their title sponsor, FTI Consulting, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex economic, legal and regulatory environment.  FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. For more information, please visit www.fticonsulting.com.

During the 12 weeks of WEF, "Saturday Night Lights" headlines the entertainment each Saturday night where spectators not only enjoy the Grand Prix class, but a street carnival, live music, and numerous dining options with box seats, sports bars, and the famed Tiki Hut for front row fun.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.