Chesler Third in $25,000 Jacksonville Horse Show

Brigitte O'Neill

Green Cove Springs in Northeast Florida just south of Jacksonville sits on the beautiful St. Johns River and is host to this years 'Just Jumping in Jax' Horse Show at the Clay County Rodeo Arena. Green Cove Springs is Clay County's 'best kept secret' since the late 1800's being a tourist attraction for its glistening lakes, lush forests and warm mineral springs. Abraham Lincoln and Grover Cleveland are among the many who have congregated to "The Mineral Spring" in Spring Park that maintains a constant year round temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit and flows at a rate of 3,000 gallons per minute. Frankie Chesler of Orangeville Ontario has yet to visit the springs, as she has been busy placing third in the $25,000 Grand Prix with her trusted mare Ravenna Z against some of the best riders in North America in this second week of the Jacksonville winter series.

Canadian snowbirds Erin Ballard, Frankie Chesler, Keean White, Hugh Graham and Mac Cone could not out run the Canadian winter weather with temperatures during the Grand Prix not at its usually sunny Florida self. Course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio of Mt. Kisko New York built a demanding course that complemented the newly constructed 111,000 square foot covered arena. Many of the riders grumbled about the very technical course with only three riders of the twenty going clear. There were a many troublesome spots throughout, with the triple combination being the main one with a wide oxer in, tight vertical to another tight vertical out. In addition, the wide oxer at the in-gate was problematic for some as it was situated near a corner of the arena giving riders many of their faults.

Chesler pointed out that this was Ravenna Z's first Grand Prix of the year and she was happy to start it off with this third place finish. "I was first to go into the jump off and I realized that it is a difficult position to be in as you have no time to chase. Therefore, I went in and jumped efficiently fast. Unfortunately that was not fast enough for first, but I am glad that we put up a good fight." Last week Chesler had a successful run with her young horse Oscar, placing first in the preliminary class and second in the modified as well as claiming Champion with her homebred gelding Flippin' Murmur (Flipper x Island Murmur). Chesler also noted, "I extremely enjoyed my first two weeks here in Jacksonville, when the construction is completed here at the show grounds, it will be the best show grounds in Florida." Hugh Graham aboard Poly Fax had the fastest time to win the class with Dennis Mitchell aboard Midnight Cowboy placing second.

Show managers Tony Weight and Bob Bell have once again out done themselves presenting a high quality series to riders. The series will continue for Chesler next week in Jacksonville and then over to Gulfport Mississippi for five weeks at the Gulf Coast Winter Series.

Results
Rider Horse

1. Hugh Graham Poly Fax
2. Dennis Mitchell Midnight Cowboy
3. Frankie Chesler Ravenna Z
4. Chuck Waters Poker
5. Pat Towle Tiger