15-year-old Emanuel Andrade, pictured riding Costa, was named the Future Champions Leading Junior Jumper Rider at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Photo by Sportfot

February 27, 2012 – Wellington, FL – 15-year-old Emanuel Andrade of Venezuela was presented as the Future Champions Leading Junior Jumper Rider on Saturday, February 25, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

In a special presentation held during Saturday evening’s $100,000 CSI3* Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, Andrade was recognized in the International Arena as the Future Champions Leading Junior Jumper Rider, sponsored by Marley Goodman.  Victoria Colvin, winner of the $50,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Rider Spectacular, was presented as the Future Champions Leading Junior Hunter Rider.

During the first six weeks of competition at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, Andrade won five championship and five reserve championship titles in the junior jumper divisions.  During weeks two, five and six of competition at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, Andrade rode Costa, a 13-year-old Holsteiner mare, to the High Junior Jumper Championship title.  During weeks five and six, Andrade claimed back-to-back Low Junior Jumper Championship titles with P.S. I Love You, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare.

“I feel very fortunate to be recognized with this award,” said Andrade.  “I am very lucky to have such wonderful horses and such a great team at Hollow Creek Farm.  I especially want to thank my parents for all of their support.”

As Andrade was attending school in Venezuela, his sister Maria Andrade and his trainer Angel Karolyi of Hollow Creek Farm, accepted the Future Champions Leading Junior Jumper Rider Award, as well as a new Trek mountain bike, on his behalf.

“I am very proud of Emanuel,” said Karolyi, who also hails from Venezuela.  “He works hard and has a real passion for the horses and for the sport.  He really deserves this award, and I am certain that he will be a top rider in the future.”

Karolyi, 25, is a professional rider representing Venezuela.  In 2010, he was a member of the Gold Medal Team at the Central American and Caribbean Games alongside Pablo Barrios, Andres Rodriguez and Noel Vanososte.  He most recently represented Venezuela in international competition at the 2011 Pan American Games riding the American-bred gelding, James T Kirk.  Karolyi opened the 2012 season by winning the $25,000 New Year’s Grand Prix in Wellington, Florida, riding Boccaccio, an 11-year-old grey Belgian Warmblood gelding sired by Up Chiqui.  On March 2, Karolyi and Boccaccio will represent Venezuela in the $75,000 G&C Nations’ Cup.

Four years ago, Karolyi partnered with renowned horsewoman Andrea King.  Based in Aiken, South Carolina, their Hollow Creek Farm is a large training business for both horses and riders, helping competitors like Andrade excel in the competition arena.

“Emanuel has come a long way over the past year, successfully stepping up from the children’s jumpers to the junior jumper and grand prix divisions,” said King, who has been managing Andrade’s horses for over a year.  “He is easy to work with, he tries hard, and he’s a good horseman.  He has a bright future in front of him.”

For more information on Hollow Creek Farm, please visit www.hollowcreekfarms.com.