Aaron Vale & Elusive. ph: ESI Photography
On Friday, September 8, 2017, USA’s Aaron Vale bested a field of 42 competitors to earn the top prize in the $10,000 KindredBio 1.40m Jumper Classic at HITS Saugerties in NY, USA.
The first round featured a ten-obstacle-course designed by Germany’s Martin Otto. Twenty two entries produced clear rounds to proceed to the shortened, six-obstacle-track.
In the jump off, 14 partnerships went double-clear in a race for the win. Vale and the 8-year-old gelding Elusive (Rodrigoo x Capfucino) stopped the clock in 29.576s to take home the win. The duo have shared a partnership for the past two years. “Last year he won the seven-year-old finals,” said Vale. “He is a fast horse — a little small, so he carries a lot of speed — and he wins a lot of classes. He just went out there and did his job as normal.”
Vale plans to either develop Elusive into a grand prix horse for himself or for his wife to compete in the High Amateur Division in the future. The duo are set to compete in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Saturday, September 9.
The USA closed out the remaining podium placings. In 2nd, Hayley Waters and the 16-year-old gelding Uppie De Lis crossed the timers in 29.703s. For 3rd place, Laura Chapot and the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Out of Ireland finished in a time of 30.025s.
For the full results, visit this link.