Tori Colvin and El Primero with trainer Jack Towell
Bryan Baldwin’s El Primero continued to impress the judges during this year’s Winter Equestrian Festival circuit, and scored a 96 in the Handy to claim the blue ribbon in the $25,000. USHJA 2* International Hunter Derby on March 11.
Superstar junior rider turned consummate professional Victoria Colvin and El Primero leapfrogged up the standings with a brilliant Handy Round to seal the deal on their victory.
El Primero, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Numero Uno, owned by Meralex Farm Inc., scored 89.25 in the Classic Round for a total of 185.25 and the top spot.
Andy Christiansen, Jr. built a stunning two-round track on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village for 44 hopeful pairs. Second place went to Greg Crolick and Chappy, who combined a 91 and 93 for a 184 final score, and third went to Jennifer Hannan and Mindful on a 183 after tallying a pair of 91.5s.
“The course was very flowing and beautiful,” said Colvin, 26. “Primo started out great. He jumped the first high option wonderfully, as well the first half of the course. He felt fantastic in the handy portion and was very tidy.”
El Primero and Tori Colvin
Great partnerships aren’t built overnight and when asked about Primo, Calvin was beaming, “I have been riding Primo for almost five years now, so we obviously know each other quite well. He’s the absolute best horse, never spooks and you know he’ll just go right into the arena, march around and try very hard to win. He always tries so hard and gives it his all.” She continued to say, “he is a great derby and one of the most fun horses to ride.
“I’m very thankful for Primo’s owner Bryan Baldwin and for everyone surrounding him,” added Colvin, including trainers Jack Towell and Liza Boyd of Finally Farm and Meralex Farm’s barn manager Nanci Snyder and rider/trainer Dinette Neuteboom and their staffs. “We couldn’t do it without a great team behind this horse.”
