From Ireland to the United States, from the Olympics to Nations Cups, Kevin Babington is the quintessential professional. Throughout the past 30 years, the rider and trainer has methodically built a respected name for himself in his adopted homeland of Pennsylvania.
Read the full article at ProEquest.com.
SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK - Irish Olympian Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania and his own Mark Q are on a roll - winning their second Pfizer Million qualifier of the season. At HITS Culpeper, Babington won the $40,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on July 10. This week, he traveled north to capture the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV.
Sunday's course was designed by Marina Azevedo of Campinas, Brazil and welcomed 32 starters. At the end of the first round, six returned for the jump-off.
"The first round course was super," said Babington who cleared it with ease. "It was plenty technical, but fair. A lot of the lines rode well and there was a lot of galloping that really got the horses to open up."
Aaron Vale of Morriston, Florida was the first to return in the jump-off aboard Bonnie Smith's Tibor. With a win earlier in the week in the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome, Vale was a strong favorite, but a rail at the third fence in a time of 45.221 seconds would mean a fourth place finish.
Karen Polle of New York, New York was the next to show and posted a blazing trip in a time of 41.967 seconds with no faults aboard her own What Ever, which set The Great American Time to Beat.
"I thought I was riding for second after watching Karen [Polle] go," Babington commented. "She was super fast."
With a very challenging time to beat, Babington and Mark Q set out to seize the day. After a brilliant turn at the second jump and a brave gallop to the last fence, they shaved almost half a second off Polle's time, finishing in a blistering fast time of 41.594 seconds to take over the lead.
"I thought the jump-off really suited my horse," he said. "It was a long jump-off course with several places to really gallop. My horse has a very long, strong stride, so we were really able to open up on the gallop and go for it."
Germaine Edelmann of Rexford, New York and Blue River Farm Sales' Carotino returned next and had a clear effort in 49.340 seconds, which ultimately settled them into third.
"This horse has been so good to me," said Edelmann. "I'm just so grateful to have a fun and easy horse to ride at this level. It's been great to be able to compete with some of the best in the sport and find success."
Darragh Kenny of Wellington, Florida and Wannahave, owned by The Wannahave Group, were the fifth to show in the jump-off and had four faults in 48.701 seconds to settle into fifth place. Last to show was Australian native Matt Williams, now of Wellington, Florida, aboard Samantha Tuerk's Watch Me VD Mangelaar. They had four faults in 52.226 seconds to take sixth place.
"I plan on qualifying for the Pfizer Million," said Babington, whose win put him one step closer to qualifying. "I still have a few more [Grand Prix] to do, but I think this horse is the right horse for it. This is the third Grand Prix we've won together out of the last four so we've really been doing well together. I'd really like to thank the Bourne's who gave me the opportunity to ride this horse, as well as my family, staff and clients who are always so supportive of me."
CULPEPER, VA (July 11, 2011) — With all new footing in the Grand Prix ring and beautiful weather, the $40,000Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, was well suited to highlight the Showday National. Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, could not have asked for much more, as he captured the first place honors aboard his own Mark Q.
Sunday's course was designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. Four riders went clean, including standout junior and Grand Prix newcomer Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Florida. Donovan went third in the order, posting her clear round early aboard her own Delilah. Babington showed sixth in the order and earned the second clear round of the class to secure a jump-off.
"I thought it was a great class," said Babington. "I really enjoyed this show. Today's class had a nice turnout, and the new footing was fantastic. We had some rain earlier in the week that gave it a good test and it passed with flying colors."
Babington, like so many others, has circled the Pfizer Million on his calendar this year. "The Pfizer Million is one of my main goals this year since it's such a great opportunity to jump for that much prize money. This is a new horse that I didn't realize would be such a strong contender for the Million but I think we'll be ready."
Babington plans to return to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties to help cement his spot in the Pfizer Million lineup. "I will be in Saugerties for three weeks and will hopefully get six qualifiers in then," he said. "This was my third one so I should be in good shape after Saugerties."
Donovan was first to return for the jump-off, and although she had no jumping faults, five seconds over the time allowed would set the pace with five time faults. "This was my fifth Grand Prix ever so I was very excited to go clear," said Donovan. "I brought this horse up from the Low Junior Jumpers and it's been really rewarding to watch her develop into a successful Grand Prix horse," said Donovan. Donovan ultimately finished third in Sunday's Prix as well as sixth in the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic aboard Michael Kirby's KT Champ earlier in the afternoon. While Donovan won't be ready to compete in the Pfizer Million this year, she is one of the talented junior riders who is currently near the top of the qualified list for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and plans to attend.
Babington returned second in the jump-off and posted what would eventually be the only clear round in the jump-off, in 40.733 seconds, which set the Great American Time to Beat.
Matt Williams of Wellington, Florida returned third aboard Samantha Tuerk's Watch Me VD Mangelaar and had a rail down at the A element of the double combination, coming home to settle into second place with four jumping faults.
Last to show was the winner of Friday's $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix, Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, this time aboard Candeloro, owned by WTBJ, LLC. Chopping had eight faults in 43.891 seconds, which would finish in fourth place.
$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
Harold Chopping and Danielle Quinn's Corland captured the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday to start off the weekend of High-Performance competition in the Grand Prix ring. Second place was Sunday's Grand Prix winning duo, Kevin Babington and Mark Q, while Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois took third aboard Woodrun'sUppsala.
Kevin rode the 9 year old Irish Sport Horse gelding Mark Q (O.B.O.S. Quality x Positively) to victory in the prestigious Thursday night Devon Grand Prix, topping a field of Olympic and International riders.
Kevin and Mark Q have only been competing as a pair since January and this is their first grand prix win together.
Special thanks to Richard & Andrew Bourns of Lisbeg Farms.
Please check our Events page to see the tentative summer schedule for 2011. I am sure there will be some local shows added, but posted is the overview of away competitions. We are looking forward to another fun and successful summer season!
Phone
(215) 542-0811
Fax
(215) 542-0814
Address
PO Box 771
Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437
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