March 27, 2013 – Wellington, Florida – Chloe D. Reid of Washington, D.C., was the winner of the third annual Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series held at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Following four competitions held throughout this year’s 12-week FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, Reid emerged as the overall winner.  Designed to provide a valuable stepping stone from the junior and amateur ranks to the grand prix level, the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series featured fences set at 1.45m.  Competitors under the age of 25, regardless of nationality, had an opportunity to compete in circumstances they would not necessarily experience otherwise.  Jumping under the lights at night, in a team format, and on grass, are all situations that young riders will face as their careers progress.

The 2013 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series included the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix on February 10; the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix held under the lights in the International Arena on Friday night, February 15; a two-round $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Team event on Thursday, March 7; and the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Final held on the grass derby field at The Stadium on Sunday, March 24.

For Reid, all four of the events comprising the Series offered her an opportunity to grow as a rider.

“Being on the grass was a lot of fun,” said the 16-year-old.  “It was great to go on different footing in a new venue; your horse is surprised by it.  To go under the lights and have people watching was exciting.  And being on a team with my friends was a lot of fun; it was exciting to stand on the podium with them!  I really loved how there were four different types of classes, and how you gained all that experience to become a better rider.”

Reid was a member of the Junior team at the 2011 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championship, and has also competed in two Prix de Nations events held annually in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, each October.  Last year, she had the opportunity to represent the United States in international competition as a member of the USEF Young Rider European Tour.  It is an honor she will repeat in 2013; the winner of the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series is automatically awarded a berth, with transport generously provided by Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte.

“Going to Europe last year was amazing, and having teammates relying on you was a whole new type of pressure to experience,” said Reid, who was also presented with a custom saddle valued at $6,000 from Bruno Delgrange.  “It is very exciting to be going again this year!”

Riders are ranked based on the number of clear rounds they produce throughout the Series, which encourages, promotes and rewards consistency.  Having competed in some of the classes last year, Reid contested every event in the Series this year riding two horses, King of Hearts and Damascus.

“Competing in the Series really allowed me to learn how to ride my horses,” explained Reid, who is a sophomore at Maret School in Washington.  “It was very useful because it’s more challenging than some of the Junior Classics, but less difficult than some of the grand prix events we go to.  I learned my strengths and weaknesses, and also how to grow past that to be a better partner with my horses.

“I would like to thank the Ziegler family and Artisan Farms for sponsoring the Series,” continued Reid.  “I would also like to thank my trainer, Kim Prince, my grooms, and my parents for all the support they’ve given me this circuit.  I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

If history is anything to go by, Reid has a bright future in front of her.  The winner of the inaugural Series in 2011, Reed Kessler, went on to become the youngest member of the U.S. Team at the 2012 London Olympics while last year’s winner, Nayel Nassar, 22, recently won the North American West Coast World Cup League standings and will represent Egypt at the upcoming 2013 World Cup Final.

“We recognized that the sport of show jumping needed a division for young riders that are capable of competing at the grand prix level,” said Carlene Ziegler who owns Artisan Farms with her husband, Andy.  “The goal of our program is to provide a bridge from the junior and amateur divisions to the grand prix level.  After three years, we have seen the potential of this program, and we are fine-tuning the Series for 2014 to make it even more relevant for the next generation.”

In 2014, the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series will be formatted to closely follow a true championship event, opening with a speed phase, followed by a team competition similar to a Nations’ Cup, and culminating in a $50,000 Grand Prix Final.  In addition to significantly increasing the prize money offered, at least one of the classes will have FEI sanctioning, allowing young riders to become familiar with competing under FEI rules.

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 young rider Caitlin Ziegler, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, and Olympian Tiffany Foster.