April 1, 2013 – Wellington, Florida – Following an incredibly successful season, 16-year-old Emanuel Andrade of Venezuela was named the Overall Jumper Rider of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.  Andrade dominated with outstanding performances throughout the 12-week show jumping competition, which is widely considered to be the most competitive circuit in the world.  The owner of Andrade’s mounts, Hollow Creek Farm of Aiken, South Carolina, was awarded the title of Overall Jumper Owner.

Having consistently earned his way to the winner’s circle despite frequently commuting to Florida from Caracas where he is a student, Andrade beat out thousands of top riders from all over the world to earn the Draper Equine Therapies Overall Jumper Rider title.  His long list of accomplishments during this year’s WEF included 14 Championship titles and 10 Reserve Championship titles, won primarily in the Low, Medium and High Junior Jumper divisions.  He also won the $10,000 Low Junior Jumper Classic five times during 12 weeks of competition, placing him firmly atop the standings for the Low Junior Jumper Circuit Championship Award.

“I am so happy; I never thought that I would win that!” exclaimed Andrade of being named the Overall Jumper Rider of this year’s WEF.  “It has been hard, every day you have to be there early and be ready to work, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that your hard work brings results.  It is very nice.”

In addition to Andrade being named the Overall Jumper Rider, Hollow Creek Farm was named the Draper Equine Therapies Overall Jumper Owner.

Andrade topped the Low Junior Jumper Circuit Standings with Casanova Junior, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Hollow Creek Farm, after clinching the Low Junior Jumper Championship during weeks one, nine and 11, and the Reserve Championship title during weeks six and eight.  Andrade finished the final week of competition by earning the Low Junior Jumper Championship with Quebec Star, which placed Andrade and the eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding third in the overall standings.  He also finished fourth in the standings with Ohio du Thot and seventh with Boccaccio.

Andrade was third overall in the Medium Junior Jumper Circuit Standings with Costa, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare also owned by Hollow Creek Farm.

With their partnership still in its infancy, Andrade and his newest mount, ZZ Top v/h Schaarbroek Z, proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the jumper ring after finishing third in the High Junior Jumper Circuit Standings, despite only competing together during the final five weeks of competition.  During that short time, the pair won two Championship titles and placed third in the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series team competition on March 7.  The 12-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding was formerly ridden by both Kevin Staut and Michel Robert of France and Marc Bettinger of Germany before being purchased in February by Hollow Creek Farm.

Andrade also finished fourth in the High Junior Jumper Circuit Standings with Crossfire 10, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding, and 10th overall with Walter 61, a 12-year-old Sachsen-Anhaltiner gelding, after tying with both horses for the Reserve Championship title during week 12.  Riding Crossfire 10, Andrade earned a bronze medal for Venezuela in the $2,500 Hollow Creek Farm Junior Nations’ Cup on March 2.

Proving that he has what it takes to compete against top professionals, Andrade earned an impressive ninth place finish in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Jumper Classic during the opening week of competition aboard Crossfire 10, and claimed the Eight-Year-Old Jumper Championship with Black Pearl, a Holsteiner gelding, during week six.

With the vast majority of Andrade’s horses being owned by Hollow Creek Farm, operated by his trainers Angel Karolyi and Andrea King, it came as no surprise that Hollow Creek Farm was awarded the Draper Equine Therapies Leading Jumper Owner.  In addition to Andrade’s success, Karolyi also earned a number of top placings with Indiana 127.  Karolyi and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, also owned by Hollow Creek Farm, finished seventh in the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m during week two, sixth during week three, and third during week nine.

“We have enjoyed an amazing circuit here in Wellington,” said King.  “Emanuel has been unbelievably successful, and we couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishments.  Everyone associated with Hollow Creek Farm has played a huge role in our results here this season, and we wish each and every member of our team a heartfelt thank you and congratulations on a job well done.”

While the horses head north to Aiken, Andrade will return to his native Venezuela where he is a student and competitor when time permits.  Hollow Creek Farm will then travel to Lexington, Kentucky, for the spring horse shows.

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