Emily Fitzgerald and Coco du Houlbec Z. Photo ©tbird/Quinn Saunders
A day after topping the MarBill Hill U25 1.40m speed class with Pasquinelle, Emily Fitzgerald (CAN) led the victory lap again the MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix 1.40m, this time with Coco du Houlbec Z.
Jumping double-clear over Anderson Lima’s (BRA) tracks, Fitzgerald came away a comfortable winner over Stella Chernoff (CAN), who finished both second and third aboard Connador (44.33 seconds) and Fay (8/41.66), respectively.
“This [week] has been crazy,” Fitzgerald exclaimed. “I didn’t ride the first round very well, but [trainer Lisa Carlsen] said that’s where [Coco and I’s] relationship came into play. She’s willing to do anything for me. She saved my butt, and I saved her butt [on course].”
In the jump-off, things went more smoothly, and the ride became more confident as the round unfolded. Coming around the turn to the final line, Fitzgerald could hear Carlsen shouting from the ingate, and she increased her pace another notch. It ultimately put her ahead.
“I saw the nice, flowing distance, and I just sat behind her, and she loves that. She knew it was a jump-off,” Fitzgerald said. “She was like, ‘Finally!’ I just love her so much.”
Fitzgerald and Coco have been partnered for the last three years, but their partnership took time to develop after importing the mare from France.
“We really struggled at the begging, and then I just accepted her for what she is, and she accepted me. And here we are.”
$15,000 MarBill Hill U25 Grand Prix 1.40m
Coco du Houlbec Z / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 0/0 43.05
Connador / Stella Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch & Cattle Co Ltd / 0/0 44.33
Fay / Stella Chernoff / CAN / Stump Lake Ranch & Cattle Co Ltd / 0/8 41.66
Ittolo / Jarne Francken / USA / Kerri Volek / 0/8 46.72
Houdini / Alexis Goetz / CAN / Alexis Goetz / 3 85.69
Face to Face / Dylan Munro / CAN / Jonathan Asselin / 4 75.28
Fenelon WF / Kassidy Keith / CAN / Cheryl Keith / 4 76.36
Capitale 6 / Charlie Jones / GBR / Morning Star Sporthorses / 4 78.39
Texas / Justine Cha / CAN / Christine Cha / 4 82.6
Pasquinelle / Emily Fitzgerald / CAN / Emily Fitzgerald / 8 80.47
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