Wellington, Fla—Feb. 13
During today’s $34,000 Ruby Et Violette WEF 6 Challenge Cup at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, Beezie Madden showed off some serious riding skills, demonstrating exactly why she’s the defending Rolex FEI World Cup Champion and the Chronicle‘s Overall and Show Jumping Horseman of the Year.
The final line on course, a plank-to-oxer combination, proved influential, and riders elected either four tight strides or three long ones. Most riders played it safe with four strides, and only a handful of riders managed the three strides fault-free. Madden went for broke in the three, and this time the cards didn’t fall her way.
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Madden started off strong with Coral Reef Via Volo, with her partner from the London Olympic Games jumping beautifully. |
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But Coral Reef Via Volo got to the last fence long, and took a wild jump, landing in the middle of it. Sportfot photo. |
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Madden was unseated… |
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ADVERTISEMENT…and for a few strides it didn’t look possible that she could stay on board. |
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But she found her way to the top of Via Volo… |
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…and upright… |
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…and eventually back to the tack. ADVERTISEMENT |
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She finished with a circle or two to get the mare organized, while the crowd applauded her efforts. |
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Want to see more incredible moments of top professionals showing why they’re the best? Check out this gallery of Ian Millar clearing the water (and jumping clear) at the 2011 Pan American Games despite losing his reins, or Rodrigo Pessoa schooling a stallion through a temper tantrum. Want to see more from the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival? Check out our photo gallery of the professional hunters. |
