Deeridge Farm's Lou Jacobs and Kachina Win High Amateur Jumper Championship at WEF
Equestrian News Release

Wellington, FL - February 16, 2009 - Deeridge Farm brought home an armful of ribbons and awards this week from the sixth installment of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Deeridge Farm is based in East Aurora, NY, and Wellington, FL, and is owned by Jacobs Family.

Lou Jacobs was very successful this week riding Kachina, a 10-year-old Selle Francais mare, to a first place finish in the $2,500 High Amateur-Owner Jumper Power and Speed class and third in the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. These top ribbons gave Jacobs and Kachina the championship in the division.

Jacobs, who is the Executive Vice President of Delaware North Companies, splits his time between New York and Florida, and he spent three weeks away from showing this season. He and Kachina started in the lower divisions at the beginning of WEF, but were very competitive in their second week in the High division.

"It's been a whirlwind to show and travel home," Jacobs admitted, "but Kachina has been everything I could ask for and more. Absent my horse, I would not be able to compete. She's very special."

This is Jacobs' 27th year competing in the High Amateur Jumper division at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and he has been one of the most competitive and successful riders throughout those years. "It's fun to still be playing," he said. "Every year there is a new crop of really good kids coming up from the junior division, but there are also older amateurs that win. It's really neat when you look at who is participating. I love the division."

Lou Jacobs also rode Soleil to a second place finish in the $10,000 Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic. Jacobs and Soleil, a nine-year-old mare, have "found their niche" in the Low division. "She is quite fast," Jacobs said. "If we are clean, she can be pretty quick for the win."

Ramiro Quintana had success with Kachina this week as well, placing fifth with the horse in the $6,000 1.40m Time First Jump-Off class.

Joan Jacobs rode Boyke 2 to a first place win in the $1,500 Low Amateur-Owner Jumpers. The top ribbon gave them the reserve championship in the division.

Grace Robinson had a good week riding two horses, Jouet and Maxim, in the Children's Hunter 14 and Under division. Robinson won two first place ribbons aboard Maxim, which gave them the championship in the division. She also rode Jouet to first and fourth place finishes. Robinson and Maxim placed second in the $2,500 NAL Florida Children's Hunter Horse Classic.

Katie Jacobs-Robinson was another successful rider for Deeridge Farm this week. Jacobs-Robinson rode So You Say in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 and Over division, placing third and fourth. She also competed in the Modified Adult Amateur Jumper division with Donovan, placing seventh and eighth.

Young Charlie Jacobs and Aspen Spring were reserve champions in the Short Stirrup Hunters after they won an over fences class.

Other riders to compete for Deeridge Farm this week include Kimberly Jacobs, who had an eighth place finish in the Adult Amateur Equitation over fences with Oxbow, and Phoebe Robinson, who place seventh in the Children's Jumper 14-17 division with Diamond Rock.

Deeridge Farm will compete next at the seventh week of the Winter Equestrian Festival on February 18-22, 2009.

Photo Credit: Deeridge Farm's Lou Jacobs and Kachina won the High Amateur Jumper Championship at the sixth week of WEF. Photo © 2009 Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.