Sydney Elliott turns toward an obstacle aboard QC Diamantaire in her final winning run in The Event at TerraNova's CCI4 class.
Photo by Jay Heater
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With more than 10 years in the saddle aboard QC Diamantaire, Sydney Elliott looked comfortable in taking on the Lakeside arena course at the TerraNova Equestrian Center Nov. 16.
Ten other competitors already had taken their best shot at Louisiana's Elliott, a former Pan Am Games competitor who had come into the final of three days of competition with the lead.
And with New Zealand's Hayley Frielick putting together a nice run just before Elliott turn, the pressure was building.
It didn't matter. Elliott and "Q" breezed through the Chris Barnard-designed course, going clear and finishing just a second over optimum time to wrap up the title.
Meanwhile, the crowd in the VIP pavilion snacked on soup to support Meals On Wheels Plus of Manatee while enjoying the sun-kissed day.
Maribeth Phillips, the Meals on Wheels CEO and president, was thrilled to see more than 100 tickets to the luncheon before the day's competition began.
"This is our third time here, and it is stunning," Phillips said. "It is so perfect here. It is such a nice thing for our guests, to be able to enjoy this setting."
Phillips said TerraNova founders Steve and Natalee Herrig have been "amazing community partners."
Sydney Elliott gives QC Diamantaire a tap after they completed a flawless final run to win the CCI4 The Event at TerraNova Nov. 16 in Myakka.
Photo by Jay Heater
Zach Ketelboeter, the chief operations officer at TerraNova Equestrian Center, shows he can ride as well. He was competing aboard Liondrive in CCI3 competition.
Photo by Jay Heater
Kimmy Cecere looks back after clearing the final obstacle aboard OS Hermintage during CCI14 action at The Event at TerraNova. She finished third.
Photo by Jay Heater
Jessica Phoenix of Canada braces for the landing aboard Wabbit in action at The Event at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
New Zealand's Hayley Frielick and Sportsfield Lumiere take a bow after finishing second in the CCI4 class at The Event at TerraNova Nov. 16.
Photo by Jay Heater
Pennsylvania's Braden Speck checks his score after finishing aboard BSF Liam. He placed eighth.
Photo by Jay Heater
Jessica Phoenix of Canada checks the scoreboard after her run aboard Wabbit at TerraNova. She finished 11th.
Photo by Jay Heater
Virginia's Marley Stone Bourke takes a victory lap aboard First Obama after securing the CCI3 title at The Event at TerraNova Nov. 16 in Myakka.
Photo by Jay Heater
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee CEO and president Maribeth Phillips loves handing out specially made bowls for those participating at The Event at TerraNova Nov. 16.
Photo by Jay Heater
Kelly Pinskey, Amy Towery and Tricia O'Brien of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee get ready for the crowd at a special TerraNova Empty Bowls Sunday during The Event at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
Lynn Symansky clears an obstacle aboard Bounce and eventually places fifth in the CCI4 competition at The Event at TerraNova Nov. 16.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
