News

Ben Maher and Cella capture CSI 2* GP

Feb 3, 2013

It was a star-studded equestrian event during week four of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival's (FTI WEF) "Saturday Night Lights" competition as Great Britain's Ben Maher piloted Jane F. Clark's Cella to victory in the $100,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. Competing in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), Maher and Cella finished on top of 49 entries over second place finishers Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and HH Rebozo and third place competitors Gemma Paternoster (GBR) and Osiris.

Out of 49 competitors, only six made it to the jump-off round, and the top three were the only entries to clear both courses without fault.

Todd Minikus (USA) and Macoemba were the trailblazers in the jump-off, but had a rail down to incur four faults in 50.13 seconds to earn fifth place honors. McLain Ward and Grant Road Partners' Super Trooper de Ness followed and had the fastest time of the jump-off, but also had four faults in 47.59 seconds to place fourth. Rodrigo Pessoa and Double H Farm's HH Rebozo were next and jumped the first clear round in 51.12 seconds to eventually finish second.

Ben Maher and Cella followed with a second clear round and galloped through the timers in 48.95 seconds to take the lead. Gemma Paternoster and Osiris, owned by Paternoster along with Julia Harrison Lee, also cleared the short course and placed third with their time of 52.62 seconds. Last to go, Liza Finsness (USA) had one rail down with Ormsby Hill in 52.77 seconds to place sixth.

Final Results: $100,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix

1. CELLA:  BEN MAHER (GBR) 0/0/48.95

2. HH REBOZO: RODRIGO PESSOA (BRA) 0/0/51.12

3. OSIRIS: GEMMA PATERNOSTER (GBR) 0/0/52.62

4. SUPER TROOPER DE NESS: MCLAIN WARD (USA) 0/4/47.59

5. MACOEMBA: TODD MINIKUS (USA) 0/4/50.13

6. ORMSBY HILL: LIZA FINSNESS (USA) 0/4/52.77

7. MIKA: REED KESSLER (USA) 1/83.22

8. WHISPER HE: SAMUEL PAROT (CHI) 1/85.47

9. KISMET 50: CANDICE KING (USA) 1/85.66

10. CHILL R Z: CHARLIE JAYNE (USA) 4/77.47

11.UNEX OMELLI: TIM GREDLEY(GBR) 4/79.73

12.NICE DE PRISSEY: BRIANNE GOUTAL (USA) 4/79.89

Source: Lauren Fisher and Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.