March 23, 2018 
In a field of aspiring athletes and future champions, one small but mighty combination rose to the top in the $10,000 1.40m Jumpers at the Palm Beach Open in Wellington, FL on Thursday.
Some 28 horse-and-rider combinations contested the course set by Kevin Giblin (USA).
Eleven obstacles, winding their way around the massive Horse Network Grand Prix field at Deeridge Farms, it was a test of stamina and skill that only seven would successfully navigate.
Of those, four turned in a double clear in the jump off. But none could capture the lightning fast Abigail McArdle and Fanta Light B.
The petite pair sped through the stort track to stop the clock in a blazing 39.370 seconds.
It was nearly seven hundredths of a second faster than runner up, Canadian Olympic veteran Mario Deslauriers on Scout de la Cense, who posted a time of 40.064 seconds, and a full three seconds quicker than Mexico’s Javier Fernandez and Diamond Dream, who took third in 42.310 seconds.
“It was a great day for the Plain Bay crew!” said McArdle.
“Today I went out there and gave it a shot and she was so good. She is such a special horse. She has got great style and she is so careful and smart. She just wants to win. I know she is only eight, but she handles everything so well. She is going to be a top horse. She’s a special horse and this is a special venue. Good day!”
This afternoon, McArdle and Fanta Light B will contest Friday’s feature 1.40m class of the Palm Beach Open. With 45 entries, the field is deeper, the competition is tougher and the course, more challenging. Tune in to HorseNetwork.com/live to for wall-to-wall coverage of all the show jumping action from the Horse Network Grand Prix Field!
