Nicole Bellissimo of the United States currently leads the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series heading into the Final event on Sunday morning, March 22, at the Stadium Derby Field in Wellington, FL. Photo by Sportfot
Victoria Colvin was presented as the overall winner of the 2014 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte. Photo by Sportfot

March 17, 2015 – Wellington, FL – Following an intensive season of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival, the top-ranked riders in the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, are set to compete in the Final on Sunday, March 22.

This year’s Series, comprised of seven events, attracted riders from around the world competing for $170,000 in prize money. The top 30 riders in the rankings will face off in the $50,000 CSI-U25 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final at The Stadium Derby Field. The morning will begin with the Artisan Farms Youngest Rider Leadline competition at 8 a.m., followed immediately by the Final.

Now in its fifth year, the popular Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series was expanded to feature more classes, increased prize money, and new ‘Under 25’ sanctioning by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in 2015.

Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the Series gives up and coming riders the opportunity to compete under FEI rules while also gaining valuable grand prix experience against their peers. With varying conditions offered for each class, riders have the opportunity to compete at a height of 1.45m on grass, all-weather footing, under the lights at night, and in team competition, all of which are important elements that competitors will face as their international careers progress.

“Artisan Farms has been proud to sponsor this Series and watch its continued growth and evolution over the past five years,” said Carlene Ziegler who, together with her husband, Andy, owns Artisan Farms and was the driving force behind the creation of the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series. “It has proven to be an important stepping stone from the junior and amateur ranks toward the international Grand Prix ring, and it has been incredibly gratifying to see participants in the Series emerging on the world stage.

“This year’s enhanced schedule and substantially increased prize money are a reflection of our enthusiasm and commitment to the Series,” concluded Ziegler.

In 2015, Equine Couture/Tuff Rider, EnTrust Capital, the McNerney family, and Kingsland Equestrian stepped forward to be presenting sponsors of individual classes within the Series, thereby strengthening the efforts of title sponsor Artisan Farms and the Series presenting sponsor, The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte.

With several riders close together in the current standings, it will be a race to the finish in the Final. The overall winning rider will receive a Bruno Delgrange saddle valued at $6,000, and will be invited to compete at the CSI2* Chantilly Horse Show, part of the Global Champions Tour, to be held from July 16-19, 2015, in France. In addition to their entry, the winner also receives two tickets to the Chantilly VIP lounge, transportation for one horse generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, and layover at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium.

The list of past winners reads like a who’s who of young show jumping talent, with Reed Kessler of the United States (2011), Nayel Nasser of Egypt (2012), Chloe D. Reid of the United States (2013) and Victoria Colvin (2014) having all etched their names in the record books.

On Sunday, March 22, a new champion will be crowned in the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series.

Leading by example, Artisan Farms is committed to the continued improvement and promotion of competitive show jumping. Based in Wellington, FL, and Vrasene, Belgium, Artisan Farms is home to rising amateur Andy Ziegler, young professional Caitlin Ziegler, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, and Canadian Olympian Tiffany Foster.

2015 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Leaderboard
Standings following six of seven qualifying events

1. Nicole Bellissimo, United States 221.5
2. Lucy Deslauriers, United States 214.75
3. Catherine Tyree, United States 187.5
4. Mavis Spencer, United States 184.5
5. Sophie Simpson, United States 172
6. Jessica Springsteen, United States 163.5
7. Eugenio Garza, Mexico 163
8. Shawn Casady, United States 154.5
9. Taylor Alexander, United States 148.5
10. Kelli Cruciotti, United States 146