North Salem, N.Y. – April 17, 2016 – After successfully competing during the Winter Equestrian Festival and earning a top 20 finish against the best in the world during the 2016 Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final with Peter Lutz, Robin de Ponthual earned a well deserved break before the spring show season.
After taking time to relax at Lutz’s base in New York, the 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Elf d’Or-IO de la Grange) owned by Katherine Gallagher and Michael Meller returned to the show ring in top form during the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows.
On Friday, Lutz and Robin de Ponthual placed seventh in the $35,000 New York Welcome Stake, producing a double clear effort over the technical track. “It was Robin’s first competition since World Cup Finals,” explained Lutz. “He felt great, and it was exciting to be showing again. He had two clear rounds and the goal was just get him back into the ring.”
The pair’s success continued on Sunday, when they captured the fourth place award during the prestigious $50,000 Old Salem Grand Prix, having just one rail in the jump-off. “I wanted him to go a little faster, but still put in clear rounds,” noted Lutz. “He was going a little bit fast to the last jump, which was a little bit downhill and we had the rail. He was great though, and Robin felt fresh, excited and really ready to go.”
The Old Salem Spring Horse Shows are being used to prepare Robin de Ponthual for Spruce Meadows this summer. “Robin really has shown that he can excel in any environment,” noted Lutz. “He’s very comfortable on the grass, and I grew up riding on that field, so I am very comfortable there. Robin is very brave, and he has a big stride, so Old Salem is a great venue for him, and it’s been great preparation for Spruce Meadows.”
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Lutz also competed with Retiro for Gallagher and Meller, placing eighth in the $50,000 Old Salem Grand Prix with just one time fault. “We were really happy with Retiro yesterday,” said Lutz. “He’s still a newer horse for us and the course was very challenging. I thought he jumped beautifully, could easily make adjustments and felt really good.”
Trainer Michael Meller concluded, “This was a great way to kick off the spring show season. Both horses were fresh and jumped beautifully. Robin continues to showcase what a versatile and talented horse he is after coming home from World Cup Finals. It is great to have a beautiful show like Old Salem to prepare for Spruce Meadows, and we are very excited for the shows this summer.”
While Robin de Ponthual and Retiro compete in North America, E2 Show Jumpers will also continue to compete with their talented group of horses in Europe with riders Stacy Babes and Dan Walsh. Founded by Katherine Gallagher, Michael Meller, and Dan Walsh, the mission of E2 Show Jumpers is to find and produce some of the world’s top young show jumping mounts.
For more information please visit E2ShowJumpers.com.
