Wellington, FL (February 2, 2010) – Grand Prix rider Mario Deslauriers and Urico, owned by Jane Clark, were in winning form during the second week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Not only did the duo win the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, but Urico also earned the Grand Prix Conformation Jumper Award, sponsored by Highlife Farms, a world-class sport horse and breeding farm.
“The judges chose Urico before the jump-off started, not knowing he would go on to win the grand prix,” said Joan Sims, of the Orlando based Highlife Farms. “My husband Kenny and I are pleased to be sponsoring the Grand Prix Conformation Jumper award during WEF and we congratulate Mario and Urico on winning the Purina Mills Grand Prix.”
Deslauriers, a native Canadian who became a United States citizen in 2009, was thrilled that Urico took home the Highlife Farms Grand Prix Conformation Jumper Award. The excitement didn’t end for Deslauriers, as it was his first grand prix win as an American citizen.
Olympic dressage rider Lisa Wilcox, head trainer at Highlife Farms, believes Sims has a passion for producing exceptional sport horses. “Joan realizes that the key to her success has been her selection of top quality sport horses with exceptional pedigrees for her foundation mares,” Wilcox said. “Bloodlines are from Oldenburger, Holsteiner, Hannoverian and Westphalen, many of which have earned elite status with the German Oldenburg Verband.”
Olympian Lauren Hough is a successful part of the Highlife team, competing Highlife’s Prezioso OLD (Pilox), an Oldenburg Grand Prix jumper stallion. Hough placed third with double clear rounds on Prezioso during WEF’s $75,000 Nespresso Grand Prix.
In addition to sponsoring the Grand Prix Conformation Jumper Award, Highlife Farms is also sponsoring the Highlife Cup during the winter dressage circuit, which is awarded to the show’s highest scoring warmblood. For more information on Highlife Farms, visit their website at www.highlifefarms.com.
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