Irish Rider Wins $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix in Halifax, MA.

Aug. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- Halifax, MA - Show jumping competition at the Fieldstone Show Park Summer Showcase concluded Saturday afternoon with an exciting finish to the $25,000 Grand Prix presented by SmartPak Equine. Twenty-six competitors took to the field in hopes of being the fastest pair to clear both rounds of Eric Hasbrouck's jumper track. In the end, the last combination to enter the jump-off proved to be the best as Paul O'Shea of Wellington, FL, claimed victory atop his mount, Instant Karma. O'Shea completed the short course fault-free in 31.217 seconds, surpassing the previous leading time, set by D.J. Volandre, by .081 seconds. Volandre, of Norwell, MA, claimed second atop Tequila, while Charlie Jacobs of Weston, MA, took third in 31.906 seconds atop Secret Love.

Located just outside of America's Hometown, Plymouth, MA, Fieldstone Show Park hosts several of the largest show jumping competitions in Massachusetts. Prior to the start of Saturday's featured $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, Fieldstone hosted several exciting events for spectators and exhibitors. First, local equestrian and author, Jeffrey Papows, signed copies of his national award winning book, Unbridled Passion to benefit the Children's Wish Foundation International. As a regular Fieldstone competitor, Papows was later honored with the Donald Little Memorial trophy for collecting the highest number of Masters Division points all season. This special award was created this season to honor the late Don Little, a well-known and beloved member of the equestrian community who dedicated his life to the support of equestrian events.

Fundraising continued with a Silent Auction to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Auction winners took home a variety of items including a signed game jersey from the Boston Bruins, a Trek road bike, CWD Sellier apparel and equestrian inspired jewelry from Show Stable Artisans. Finally, in the moments before the Grand Prix, the Official Color Guard of Vermont treated spectators and exhibitors to a unique demonstration. The talented cadets presented the U.S. colors during a live performance of the national anthem.

The winner of Saturday's featured event, Instant Karma, is a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse by Courage II. The bay mare, known as Karma in the barn, is co-owned by O'Shea and Michael Hayden of Wellington, FL. As a professional equestrian from Limerick, Ireland, O'Shea currently works for Skara Glen Stables out of Wellington, FL. Skara Glen recently produced two Olympic Show Jumping horses that attended the 2012 Olympic Games.  
 
Following their win, O'Shea commented Karma's performance. "She's always been a really talented horse," O'Shea said, "and she jumped great today. She was fast, careful, game and ride-able. I'm delighted with her."

Fieldstone's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix marks Karma's second career Grand Prix victory to date. Course designer, Eric Hasbrouck, posed a few questions for riders toward the end of his track when he forced them to choose between going around or inside a small island during the jumpoff. Describing his decision to go for the inside turn, O'Shea commented, "I took a bit of a chance there. I saw D.J. (Volandre) go very fast and I knew if I was going to have a chance to win it, I would have to take the inside line and luckily it worked out."

Regarding his experience showing at Fieldstone for the first time, O'Shea added, "I thought this was a super show. The atmosphere is great and it's great to have been able to get some of the young horses out into the arena. There are so few grass fields nowadays."

While O'Shea plans to attend the Boston Jumper Classic in the coming weeks, the Irish rider will return to Limerick this fall for a break before heading to the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, for the 2013 season.

Watch Paul O'Shea and Instant Karma Jump Off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_qiij2uA-Q



Fifteen-Year-Old Anastasia Bezsylko wins $5,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic.

Competition in the Grand Prix Field began Saturday afternoon with the $5,000 Junior Amateur Jumper Classic. Several seasoned riders including Timothy Hooker of Wellington, FL, and Adrienne Sternlicht of Greenwich, CT, competed in the class, but it was fifteen-year-old Anastasia Bezsylko of Pound Ridge, NY, who captured the victory. Bezsylko and her mount, Elevation 1147, completed the jump-off course in 35.905 seconds, surpassing 15 competitors for the win. Second place was awarded to Gwen Goodwin and Victor who finished double-clear with a jump off time of 37.617, while Katie Cox and Sacramento N took third in 38.356 seconds.

The winning mount, Elevation 1147, is an eleven-year-old Oldenburg owned by Carol Stillwell of Edison, NJ. Affectionately known as Lottie in the barn, the bay mare has been a partner to Bezsylko since November of 2011. "She has taught me a lot," Bezsylko commented, "It's my first summer doing the low juniors, and I've learned so much."

Bezsylko and Lottie were co-circuit champions of the Low Jr/AO Jumpers at the Vermont Summer Festival this year and recently claimed top honors at the Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association Junior Medal Finals held last week.

Following their victory, Bezsylko commented on today's ride. "I wasn't even planning on winning, I just wanted to ride my best. When we made it to the jump off, I was thinking, everyone in here is going to get a ribbon, so I've got nothing to lose."

Ultimately, Bezsylko's carefree attitude and Lottie's game-time speed earned the pair the classic victory. Moving forward, Bezsylko hopes to begin showing in the High Junior Jumpers and the 3'6" equitation divisions in the upcoming 2013 season.

While Summer Showcase competition has come to an end, Fieldstone Show Park will host the 2012 Massahcuestts Hunter Jumper Finals on Sunday, August 26.