30yo Australian rider Matt Williams, had a great round in the 1.60m Grand Prix at the CSIO4* in Wellington, FL (USA) at the beginning of March.

He finished third behind Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Red Star d’Argent and Colombia’s Roberto Teran Jr. and Woklahoma. Matt was one of only five riders qualified for the jump-off.

Matt Williams and Wyndmont’s Valinski S were first to qualify, and first to return for the short course, completing the track without fault in the third place time of 45.79 seconds. Roberto Teran, Jr. was next to jump-off aboard Ark Partners’ Woklahoma, with another clear round and a faster time of 44.89 to finish second. Next in the ring, Darragh Kenny and Red Star d’Argent clocked the winning time of 42.83 seconds. Hardin Towell (USA) and Jennifer Gates’ Emilie de Diamant AS had one rail down in 46.84 seconds to finish fifth. Last to go, Ben Maher (GBR) and Jane Clark’s Sarena also dropped a rail, but finished in a faster time of 44.43 seconds to place fourth.

Kenny had the opportunity to watch Williams complete his jump-off round before he entered the ring, and had an idea of what he needed to do to get the win. “I watched Matt go, and Matt’s horse was amazing and he had a super round,” Kenny stated. “I felt that I just wanted to go as fast as I felt comfortable. I know the horse is very fast. I know I did one less stride after the black skinny, and I just had a feeling where I was and that I was up a little bit (on the time). I did not realize I was going as fast as I was, but it ended up being great.”

Matt has his sights set on the Olympic Games in Rio with his great new partner Valinski S, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Nijinski x Julius.

“I have not had him that long. I got him at the beginning of the winter and every time he has gone in a big Grand Prix, he has been clear or four faults, so he is consistent and giving me a great feeling,” Williams said of his mount. “He jumps with a lot of heart, so at the moment I just have to keep him fresh and hopefully it will keep going to way it is going.”

Speaking of his opening ride in the jump-off, Williams noted, “I have not jumped this Grand Prix in four years, and the last time I did it, I was first to go in the jump-off as well, but unfortunately there were 12 in the jump-off that time and it did not work out as well. I went out there with an idea to do as much as I could and leave the jumps up. I got a little bit wide to the last jump. I drifted out a little bit, but I do not think I would have gone any quicker if I was after Darragh. I would not have been able to catch him; his round was as good as it comes.”

"I was really happy with the result, this has been the main Grand Prix on my mind for the winter with it being the CSIO week and knowing it would be one of the toughest of the circuit so I really tried to have him set up for this one. My next big goal for him is the Great American $1 million Grand Prix in Ocala.”

The Ocala Grand Prix will be on this Sunday at 2pm EDT (Monday 28 March 5am AEDT).

Source: Equestrian Australia

© ESI The Digital Place

Matt Williams and Valinski S Capture $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix Victory at HITS Ocala

With top finishes in major grand prix events across the country, Australia’s Matt Williams and Valinski S, owned by Wyndmont Inc, have been showcasing their partnership and knocking on the door for a win. On Sunday afternoon at HIST Ocala, the duo topped a seven-horse jump-off to capture their first victory together during the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix.

Williams and Valinski S were the final pair to clear the first round track and the last to return for the tiebreaker. With the opportunity to see the first two athletes compete, Williams made a plan to leave out a stride in the first line and make up time over the first four obstacles, so that he could be extra careful to the final double combination. The decision paid off when they dashed across the finish line with all the rails intact and fastest time of the day to claim the victory.

“It was nice for a change to not have to go first in the jump-off,” laughed Williams. “Valinski has been third in so many good classes now, it’s nice to get a win under our belts. I am just really happy. Every time he goes in the ring, he’s been great. I think the last six grand prix he’s been in the top five, so he’s been really consistent.”

Those top finishes include a third in the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Las Vegas and the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds CSIO4* Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Williams commented, “The first time I rode Valinski, we clicked, and it’s just grown from there. I have so much confidence in the horse, and he can feel that I believe him. He just goes out and does it. Every time he goes out he gives 100 percent. I am lucky to have a horse like him.”

Wyndmont founder and trainer Ronnie Beard was thrilled with the pair’s performance stating, “Matt has gotten to know the horse very well, and he’s starting to trust the horse’s stride and scope. I think the best is yet to come.”

Beard was also pleased with the performance of the other Wyndmont mounts, Cuchia and Zephyr, who also competed in the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix with Williams.

“It was Cuchica’s first major grand prix,” noted Beard. “He had an unlucky four faults, but he jumped brilliantly. To see him break through to the next level was really exciting.”

Next week, Williams and Valinski S will compete in the Great American Million, before taking a long rest to gear up for their summer schedule. Cuchica and Zephyr will also continue to compete with the Wyndmont team during HITS Ocala.

Founded by Beard and Dorman, Wyndmont Inc. is known for producing highly competitive hunter and jumper riders and horses under Beard and Dorman’s guidance, developing programs that benefit both human and equine athletes. For more information, visit Wyndmont.com or find them on Facebook!

Media Release

Source: Wyndmont Inc.