Audrey Coulter Wins Big During FTI WEF Week 7

Audrey Coulter Triumphs With Back To Back Wins Aboard Acorte & Victory DA

Week 7 of the Winter Equestrian Festival proved to be a success for 21-year-old Audrey Coulter when she rode to the victory in the $280,000 Adequan CSI 4* grand prix aboard Acorte on Sunday, Feb. 23rd, and later that same day topped the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper classic on Victory DA.

After riders walked the Adequan CSI 4* course on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 22nd, and awaited opening ceremonies to begin, heavy rain and persistent lightning took over the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center causing spectators to seek cover and convincing horse show officials to reschedule the class for the safety of the horses and riders. Slightly unfortunate, but nonetheless it worked out for the best.

With only one scratch and a 10:30am start time, 44 horses and riders returned to the show grounds early Sunday morning to give it their all over Frederic Cottier’s 13 obstacle course. The sun was out and radiating 85 degrees Fahrenheit as spectators gathered around the international ring wearing summer attire and sipping on ice cold beverages – welcome to winter in sunny Florida.

The first clear round came only five entries into the competition as Danielle Goldstein landed the final jump aboard Carisma, the Israeli Equestrian Partners entry, with a time of 78.94 seconds and no rails down. Jimmy Torano experienced a bit of bad luck when his mount, Blue Sky Van De Olmenhoeve, attempted to canter out of the ring as they passed the in-gate and then proceeded to throw a tantrum that resulted in their elimination. Immediately following, Manuel Espinosa, of Columbia, also ran into complications when Zippo CG seemed to disagree with the triple combination and refused to jump it.

California resident Audrey Coulter was ninth to go and rode the 10-year-old chestnut Hanoverian mare, Acorte, to the second clear round in the class with a time of 77.5 seconds. The pair has only been competing together since last September, but they certainly seem to have a very strong bond and make quite the team. “She’s incredible and can be a little feisty, but she has the biggest heart and she tries so hard every time she goes in the ring – She’s really scopey and really careful.” Now set to join Goldstein and Carisma in the jump-off, the pair was one of five along with Ben Maher and Cella, Brianne Goutal and Nice De Prissey, and Scott Brash and Ursula XII. But the red-headed mare’s speed and tactic ultimately captured the win, flying around the course, cutting corners and leaving out a couple strides to land the final fence fault free with a time of 40.51 seconds. #winner

Watch Audrey and Scott jump-off in this side by side video:

Joined by Scott Brash (second place) and Ben Maher (third place) at the press conference the excitement is apparent in her voice and on her face. When asked how she felt about her and Acorte’s win she says, “I’m so excited! Just to be next to Ben and Scott is amazing.” This is Coulter’s first major win and she explains that her riding has been very on and off because of her studies at Dartmouth College. “I don’t really ride while I’m at school and I’m [currently] taking a quarter off to do riding.”

Coulter is fortunate enough to train with two of the biggest names in show jumping, Meredith and Markus Beerbaum. Meredith is one of the best riders in the world and Markus is knowingly the best trainer in the show jumping world, both have won multiple international titles and are very active in the equestrian community. “It’s incredible training with them,” Audrey gushes, “they’re so supportive and they’re always there for you, but they also trust that you know what you’re doing.” A quality she really appreciates as it is essential in making riders feel confident in themselves.

British riders Brash and Maher had nothing but positive remarks of Coulter’s round and were swift to pour on the compliments. “If I had any advice she should give up the school!” joked Brash, “But no, I watched her on the screen outside and she was very very fast. It was a perfect round.” Brash is currently sitting at the top of the world show jumping ranks with teammate Ben Maher and the two have been claiming victories at this years FTI Winter Equestrian Festival since they arrived in early January. When asked why he couldn’t beat Coulter’s time Brash laughs under his breath and says, “why am I always second, is that what you’re asking?” Everyone in the media tent laughs. He recalls his jump-off round, “I actually tried to go one less to the white oxer, but I had a bit of a stumble and had to do it in eight.”

Even though week after week Brash seems to be unable to bump up from second place, there is absolutely no sign of disappointment in his tone and he is content with his placings, thus far. “I am very pleased with my horse, she’s been so consistent throughout the tour and this is actually her last class before she goes back home. So I’m happy she finished off on a good note!”

Golden boy, Ben Maher, sits with a smile painted across his face the entire time and is asked if he was even familiar with Audrey Coulter before the class, “Of course!” He exclaims. ” She’s just coming up to these ranks, and I wish I had been doing this well when I was 21!” No doubt he is impressed with Coulter’s success.  Maher, who rides the 11-year-old grey Belgian warmblood mare for Jane Clark (New York, NY), expresses his gratitude for the opportunities he’s been given and though he broke his winning streak this time, he is more than proud of the results. “Cella, again, was incredible today, and it’s a nice change to jump during the day. I had to hang out a little to fence two and saw one less but it was going to give me a problem for the white oxer there, so I had to change my mind. It was kind of one of those rounds where I wanted to, but couldn’t get going.” Reminiscing the round he shrugs his shoulders, “I didn’t have the jump-off I really wanted. Audrey was way too fast and I knew it wouldn’t be possible to catch her.”

Just a few weeks ago, Coulter was involved in another jump off against Brash and Maher and she admits that coming out on top this time is just surreal. “I wasn’t really expecting it, I was just happy to be in the ring with them [once again] and competiing. It’s all very exciting.”

Little did Audrey Coulter know that only a few hours following the $280,000 Adequan CSI4* Grand Prix she would go on to claim the victory in the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Taking the top honors with a first round time of 83.46 seconds in a class with 85 entries – including herself – aboard her mare Victory DA (pictured above), and winning the blue in a jump-off of 10 with a time of 38.51 seconds, Coulter sits on cloud nine full of disbelief and delight. “I’m so fortunate to have the horses I have and such incredible trainers in Meredith and Markus. My horses were amazing today and it’s all very exciting. It’s been a good day.”

By: Claudia Lorena

Watch Audrey’s interview with Jennifer Wood Media:

Get to know Coulter’s horses a little better:

ACORTE
Foal Date: 4/28/2003
Breed: Hanoverian
Color: Dark Chestnut
Sex: Mare
Sire: Acorado I
Dam: Scala
Breeder: Jun Heinrich Bremer
Owned By: Copernicus Stables, LLC. (owners Jim and Penny Coulter)

VICTORY DA
Foal Date: 11/1/1998
Breed: Belgian WB
Color: Grey
Sex: Mare
Sire: Clinton
Dam: It’s Me
Breeder:
Owned By: Copernicus Stables, LLC. (owners Jim and Penny Coulter)

Class Results

Final results for the $280,000 Adequan CSI4* Grand Prix:

Final results for the $84,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Watch Ben Maher and Cella ride against Scott Brash and Ursula XII in the Fidelity Investments $125,000 Grand Prix:

Photos courtesy of Sportfot. Videos provided by Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. and ChronicleTV.