(MAHWAH, N.J.) ‑ January 5, 2015 ‑ Show jumping superstars Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric jumped to the top of an exciting competition Sunday afternoon in the $125,000 Trump Invitational Grand Prix, presented by Rolex where Land Rover was the official vehicle sponsor. Held at Donald Trump's scenic estate, The Mar‑a‑Lago Club, in Palm Beach, FL, the third annual event featured international show jumping at its best with top finishes for Kraut, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Brianne Goutal (USA).
Land Rover celebrated the start of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival with its sponsorship of the Trump Invitational on Sunday, January 4th at the Mar‑a‑Lago Club, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post Estate, and one of the most magnificent mansions in the world. The annual Invitational grand prix is the single equestrian event held on Palm Beach Island, and this prestigious occasion brought together some of the world's top horse and rider combinations in an FEI world ranking competition to compete for the $125,000 prize and raise funds for over 100 Palm Beach County charities.
"I was going to lead off with how amazing this event has evolved," said Laura Kraut, rider and winner of the competition. "Finally, on the third year, they got lucky. All of the conditions were perfect. It is probably the best grass footing in the world. I went last in the class and last in the jump‑off, and I think I had ground as good as the first ones did. It was perfect. It was an absolutely great event."
"We all look forward to coming here," she continued. "It gives us something to shoot for after Christmas to start the year off and it was beautiful today. This is a special event. It is a beautiful location and the fact that Mark (Bellissimo) and Donald (Trump) have put this together and put this on right here in Palm Beach, it is absolutely gorgeous. It is a prestigious event to try to win and I am very happy to win it."
Guests enjoyed a welcome reception on the lawn where they had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a display of the latest Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles provided by the local Land Rover retailer, Land Rover Palm Beach. The Range Rover Sport Autobiography was prominently displayed in the competition arena, with the Range Rover Autobiography Black and Land Rover LR4 vehicles showcased within the footprint of the grounds of the famed Estate.
"The Trump Invitational was a great success, and it was exciting to see guests interact with our newest Land Rover models," says Matt Adkins, General Manager of Land Rover Palm Beach. "It was also a tremendous honor to support our local community alongside many great equestrians at such a memorable venue."
Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), who produced the event, commented on the day as well, declaring, "It was another great event. The weather could not have been more spectacular given what we experienced last year. I think this event has really grown in stature."
For more information on Land Rover Palm Beach, please visit www.landroverpalmbeach.com
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