Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY- April 8, 2010 – Charlie Jacobs rode his top mount Quidditch II to a final win in the twelfth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival(WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The duo stopped the clock at 36.176 seconds for the win in the Amateur-Owner Jumper High Power & Speed class. Jacobs and Quidditch II have had a very successful Winter Equestrian Festival show circuit which resulted in the pair earning the Amateur-Owner High Jumper Circuit Championship. Jacobs was elated with the final results of the entire circuit and was proud not only of his own accomplishments but his entire family’s accomplishments for Deeridge Farm.
Jacobs appreciates bringing Quidditch II to the ring well rested and feeling good. Over the 12 weeks of the circuit, the pair elected to show for 6 weeks. Jacobs employed the pattern of showing one week and then taking the following week off. Jacobs explained, “I elected to show Quidditch every other week so that by the end of the circuit she would have jumped a total of 6 weeks. During her weeks off I would not point her at a single jump. Instead I would take her out to the meadow at my family’s farm and we would play a little game during our flat sessions. She is a very hot horse and the more you flat her the more animated and excited she progressively gets. We usually began with a very low-key trot for roughly 15 minutes in order for her to warm up and stretch her muscles. She remained quiet throughout the entire trotting portion of our flat work. In fact she was so quiet I could loose rein her around the field if I choose to do so. However almost on cue she would begin a series of playful bucks as soon as I would ask her to canter. She sees that open field and she just wants to run and have fun. I think that will be part of her routine for some time and I just enjoy how athletic and playful she has become.”
Jacobs continued, “I really enjoy how Quidditch expresses herself as she is so darn athletic. In fact over one jump in particular she lifted her hindquarters so high that her tail hit the top of my helmet. What a special mare.”
Winning the Amateur-Owner Jumper High Power & Speed class secured the 2010 WEF circuit championship for Jacobs and his mount. Jacobs was very excited about his win this week and his performance over the last twelve weeks. Adding the $50,000 CN Jumping Derby to his list of accomplishments Jacobs remarked, “I am so proud of both my horses. I feel darn lucky to have done so well at WEF.”
As for Jacobs’ future plans, he explained, ” I am looking forward to my future with Leap of Joy. He is a great horse with a lot of jump and has come a long way this winter. It’s really about focus and patience with him.”
Jacobs joins his entire family while at WEF including his brother Louis who has accomplished multiple wins with Kachina, his sister Katie, his sister-in-law-Joan, his wife Kim, his nieces Mellissa, Charlotte, Phoebe, Grace, and Maggie, and of course his children, twins, Katie, Charlie Jr, and his youngest Will.
Jacobs is very proud of his children and can be seen sitting at the sidelines watching every round of his children’s rides. He commented, “I couldn’t be happier with my children. Katie has already qualified for pony finals, Charlie Jr. is doing so well, and Will is having a blast. I can’t believe how fast these last 12 weeks have flown by, and I have really enjoyed having the entire Deeridge Family together in Wellington.”
After showing the Equestrian Sport Productions Spring Horse Show, Jacobs and his family will travel back up north to shows such as Lake Placid and Vermont.
