Georgetown, KY – August, 14, 2015 – Just a few short weeks remain until the 16th Annual $170,000 Young Jumper Championships takes center stage at premier venues across the country. The Eastern and Western League Finals will be held simultaneously on both coasts during The Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, NY, and Showpark All Seasons in Del Mar, CA, the week of August 22-31, 2015.
YJC Western League
Can Jason McArdle Three-peat?
Can Jason McArdle pull off a hattrick with Fairbanks Valley Farms’ Da’s Mooi Man (Zapatero VDL x Indoctro) in the 7-Year-Old Western League Finals? The pair was victorious at 5 and 6, and has the chance to equal Jeffery Welles’ record three titles in as many years. Welles took consecutive wins in the Eastern League Finals with Sharon Gunthel’s Bilion (Emilion x Amethist) in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
To pull it off, McArdle has to best Veronica Tracy’s top ranked Daify (Numero Uno – Talitha, by Calvados), winner of 4 YJC Qualifiers to top the Western League 7-Year-Old standings, and Bilek & Petschenig’s Consider 5 (Converter x Landor S).
McArdle also has a legitimate shot at a double-header with Fairbanks Valley Farms’ Elicole (Hamlet x Guidam), winner of the 2014 Western League 5-Year-Old Championship. Their top competition could be Dana Nemeth’s US-bred CCF Caramel (Durango La Silla x Contango), ridden by Michelle Parker and, bred by Parker’s Cross Creek Farms.
The Western League 5-Year-Old division is crowded at the top with a 5-way tie for first. Leading the pack are Jo Cho’s US-bred Diabolical C (Diarado x Carousel), who has yet to pull a rail in a Qualifier, and Felyn Farm’s Flashdance (For Edition x Quinar), winner of 7 Qualifiers this season.
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YJC Eastern League
Two Defending Champions Return
Imerald van het Voorhof (Emerald van het Ruytershof x Bacardi Orange de Muze) and Cody Auer return to defend their title against Ursule du Mazet (Berlin – Quilea de St. Druon, by Diamant de Semilly), who has posted 6 clears in YJC qualifiers from 9 starts this season. Nick Dello Joio will have the ride in the Finals for Greer Hindle. Hot on their heels will be Kevin Babington with his Irish-bred Super Chilled (Gelvin Clover x unknown) and Artillery Lane’s Dendelien (Douglas VDL x Hold Up Premier), piloted by Greg Prince.
Lori Larrabee’s Eddie Blue (Zirocco Blue VDL x Marlon) and Devin Ryan did not pull a single rail in 12 starts to qualify for the 2014 Eastern League Finals. They maintained that record to win the 5YO Championship. This year, they’ll face off against Gotham Enterprizes’ homebred Nolita (Metropolitan x Lancer III) who has dominated the Eastern League 6-year-olds all season, posting 6 clear rounds in YJC Qualifiers including a win at WEF 3, and Robert Sansone’s Venecia (Valentino 240 x Ramiro’s Son II), winner of the YJC Qualifier at WEF 11.
Ronan McGuigan and Blythe Masters’ top ranked Maximus (Zapatero VDL x Indoctro) lead the standings in the 5-Year-Old Eastern League. The pair has posted victories in 6 YJC Qualifiers this season, edging ahead of Emily Hill’s Irish-bred KBS Ronnin (Obos Quality 004 x Glidawn Diamond).
Since 1989, the Young Jumper Championships and International Jumper Futurity have awarded over $5.5 million in prize money to owners, breeders and stallion owners. For more information, visit http://www.youngjumpers.com.
