Category Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

Competitions, Show Jumping

Heather Caristo-Williams Wins $50k Helgstrand Jewellery Grand Prix CSI2*

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Heather Caristo-Williams Wins $50k Heather Caristo-Williams with Celtic Hero Z. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 30, 2022 – The final day of top-level action during week three of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) started bright and early on Sunday, January 30. WEF 3, sponsored by NetJets, featured two-star and four-star international events as well as all levels of national hunter, equitation, and jumper competition.  Heather Caristo-Williams (USA) took the final victory of the day in the $50,000 Helgstrand Jewellery Grand Prix CSI2*.

Forty-six pairs made it over Peter Grant’s (CAN) final test of the week including representatives of 13 different nations, but only seven entries advanced to the short course. The returning field was made up of riders from Ireland, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. Gavin Harley (IRL) led off the pack with Kavalli di Magico but suffered one unfortunate rail to finish with a four-fault score for fourth place. The USA’s Heather Caristo-Williams was the first and only of the challengers to put forth a double-clean effort and still clock in at an efficient 38.32 seconds.

Ireland’s Darragh Kerins slid into the second place position with Eve Jobs’s 11-year-old Irish Sport horse gelding Intuitive (Beach Ball x Sandiamo) after beating Caristo-Williams’ time by over a second but faulting a single fence in the process. Thomas Yofre put Argentina on the podium as he and the Stellium Sport Horses LLC’s 12-year-old Holsteiner mare Cardora (Caretino 2 x Clearway) delivered the second fastest time of the jump-off class but also with a downed rail to earn third place.

Jordan Coyle Steals the Show in the $75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Jumper Championship Classic CSI4*

Just shy of 50 combinations set out to contest the track in the final four-star event of the week on a brisk south Florida morning with 12 of those entries proving good enough to earn themselves a spot in the jump-off. The short track was filled with some of the sport’s best, including McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, and Nicola Philippaerts.

Mark McAuley (IRL), who secured the second place position in the previous night’s $216,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI4*, looked like he would be the class victor until Olympian Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) managed to shave just under a second off of his time. Philippaerts’s time would hold until Irishman Jordan Coyle contested the course with the Elan Farm’s 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion Ariso (Casall x Contender). The pair are no strangers to the victory gallop after having won several five-star and four-star events.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Andrew Bourns and Sea Topblue Cruise to $216k NetJets Grand Prix CSI4* Victory at WEF

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Andrew Bourns with Sea Topblue. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 29, 2022 – The highlight of the week at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), the $216,000 NetJets Grand Prix CSI4*, provided excitement in chilly temperatures for the fourth installment of the “Saturday Night Lights” series. Andrew Bourns (IRL) and Sea Topblue, owned by Andrew Bourns Sport Horses, were victorious in the grand prix.

There were 44 entries in the grand prix, and they competed over a course set by Peter Grant of Canada. Of those entries, 14 found the path to a clear round and continued to the jump-off.

“To be honest, when I initially walked the course, I didn’t think there would be as many clear rounds,” said Bourns. “I thought the course was big enough and reasonably technical and, in the end, it just shows the strength of the field and the amount of good horses and riders at WEF this time of year. I think we were all a bit surprised to have so many clear rounds.”

The early pacesetter was Olympian Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and his own Moya VD Bisschop, who were the second to go in the jump-off and set the time to beat at 39.25 seconds.

Nine horses after Philippaerts, WEF newcomer Mark McAuley (IRL) and Jasco VD Bisschop, a 13-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding by Dulf van den Bisschop x Krunch de Breve, lowered the winning time to 38.94 seconds.

As the final entry in the jump-off, Bourns was able to squeak by his countryman and cross the timers in 38.76 seconds for the win.

Hannah Hoch Pilots Prospect to Win in Bruno Delgrange Palm Beach Adult Medal

A chilly, breezy morning at the FarmVet Ring 7 wouldn’t deter Wisconsin native Hannah Hoch and Jentle from a strong performance in the Palm Beach Adult Medal, sponsored by Bruno Delgrange.

Hoch rode Jentle, a KWPN gelding by Chaqui Z owned by Heritage Farm, Inc., to the win with a score of 88 over fences and a flat work-off that ensured they remained in the top spot.

“He’s a young horse, so I just wanted to give him a good, confident, accurate ride,” said Hoch of the eight-year-old chestnut. “This is my first show on him. I showed him for the first time on Thursday, and he’s been a great partner so far.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Todd Minikus and Amex Z Win $37k Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI4*

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Todd Minikus with Amex Z. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 28, 2021 – Another action-packed day at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) took place on Friday, January 28, during the NetJets-sponsored WEF 3. The International Arena took no time to get into the swing of things as an impressive 62 combinations showed up for the day’s main event, the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSI4*, and no one was able to best Todd Minikus (USA) and Amex Z, owned by Bit by Bit Group.

The class was the only four-star event on Friday and drew a significant number of exhibitors to contest Peter Grant’s (CAN) one-round speed track. The time allowed was set at a comfortable 88 seconds which meant there was almost no difficulty with navigating through the final fence underneath the cutoff. Of the starting number, 29 horse-and-rider pairings managed to successfully answer all questions on the course while 19 duos suffered just one unfortunate rail. When Minikus entered with his long-time talented mount, Amex Z, it was clear the pair were not riding for second place.

“I was a little frustrated with how I rode yesterday,” Minikus admitted. “My mare tried to go super nice for me, and I rode a bit under par, so I was definitely riding to make up for it today.”

Rylie True Tops EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal

The Equine Tack & Nutritionals Ring had 35 entries on Friday for the USHJA EMO Insurance 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal.

Rylie True, of Bedminster, NJ, rode to the win aboard Utrillo Du Soleil after a test on the flat that saw the top 12 riders called back.

“We planned for a big, nice, bold pace since I noticed that working out well for riders in the previous class,” said True.

She executed her plan for Utrillo Du Soleil, a 14-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Reese Merna, and ultimately found that they were well suited for the test.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Ben Maher and Tic Tac Reunite for Success in $140k Hygain Feeds Grand Prix CSI3* at WEF

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Ben Maher and Tic Tac. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 23, 2022 – Week two of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), presented by Hygain Feeds, concluded with victory on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village for 2020 Olympic individual gold medalist Ben Maher (GBR) and longtime partner Tic Tac, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, in the $140,000 Hygain Feeds Grand Prix CSI3*.

Equestrians from across the globe made their way to participate in another top week of various hunter, jumper, and equitation competitions. In addition to WEF’s normal venue at PBIEC, week two allowed international jumper riders the first opportunity to familiarize themselves with the turf at Equestrian Village, which will make an appearance in several more weeks throughout the circuit. A large field of 74 up-and-coming international riders first faced the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix but the day culminated in the afternoon grand prix.

In total, 11 nations were represented in the overall field, but Ireland gave themselves a fair chance at the victory as Friday’s $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round Two winner Eoin McMahon added himself to the list. Ultimately, 13 of the original 46 contestants managed to successfully answer all of Soberon’s questions, and the short track was then set for their return. O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu immediately put on the pressure as he returned first and blazed through the timers in 43.88 seconds clean. O’Shea held on to that victory until Maher stepped foot onto the field with the 19-year-old SBS stallion (Clinton x Darco). Maher shaved mere milliseconds off of the Irishman’s previous leading time and landed at the top in 43.52 seconds.

Maria Brugal Edges Out the Competition to Win the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix

Young riders kicked off Grand Prix Sunday with 72 entries contesting Oscar Soberon’s first round course of the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix. Eleven riders went fault-free to advance to the jump-off where international talent finished atop the podium with Maria Brugal (DOM) leading the way on her own J’Adore Flamenco.

Twelfth to go in the starting order, Brian Moggre (USA) found the first clear path with Stevie Macken’s Nobel S. They led the way in the jump-off with a smooth effort in 48.04 seconds, which would ultimately land them in the fifth-place position. Zoe Conter of Belgium was next to challenge in the jump-off, quickening the pace with Natan van’t Laarhof in 47.62 seconds, good enough for third place. Shortly after, Welcome winner Tom Wachman (IRL) stormed around the short course in 46.19 seconds, this time aboard Coolmore Show Jumping’s Lazarro delle Schiave. The riders that followed tried to catch Wachman’s time, but at the expense of a jumping fault.

It was Brugal who managed to shave a couple hundredths of a second off of Wachman’s time for the win in 46.17 seconds with J’Adore Flamenco.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

It All Comes Together for Chapot and Chandon Blue in “Saturday Night Lights” Victory

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Laura Chapot with Chandon Blue. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 22, 2022 – While the international competition during this week of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has been held at Equestrian Village, all eyes were on the International Arena tonight at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL for the $50,000 Marshall & Sterling/Great American Insurance Group National Grand Prix, part of the exciting “Saturday Night Lights” series. Laura Chapot (USA) delivered a thrilling performance as she and Chandon Blue raced through the timers for the win.

Forty-five entries contested the grand prix track set by Nick Granat (USA) with 11 combinations jumping clear and were through to the jump-off.

First in the ring for the jump-off was Grand Prix Qualifier winner, Cathleen Driscoll (USA) aboard her winning mount Flotylla, owned by Don Stewart. Driscoll duplicated her first-round clear performance, laying down a quick, clean effort in 37.07 seconds over the shortened course, which would hold up for fourth place.

A couple horses later, it was Nick Dello Joio (USA) and The Berry Group’s Cornet’s Cambridge that set the new time to beat at 36.33 seconds. That would ultimately be good enough for a third-place finish.

Dello Joio’s time was quickly slashed as next in was Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam who finished the short course in 35.728 seconds with James Kann Cruz, owned by Gizmo Partners LLC. However, Sweetnam would have to settle for second place.

After watching their new target in Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz, Chapot and Chandon Blue went pedal to the metal, finishing in 34.485 seconds for the win.

Adrienne Sternlicht Leaves It All on the Field for 1.50m Victory

The $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic started an action-packed day of competition on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village with 50 horse-and-rider combinations contesting Oscar Soberon’s (USA) educated first track. More than 13 nations were represented in the class and seven of those countries were represented in the returning jump-off field which consisted of 18 fault-free competitors.

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam held the leading time for a majority of the shortened track until FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 U.S. team gold medalist Adrienne Sternlicht found an even faster pace. The young professional proved ready for an impressive season as she captured the first win of the day aboard Lafayette Van Overis.

Sternlicht laid it all on the line with the 11-year-old BWP gelding (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Houdini Van Overis) with a variety of long gallops and tight turns to shave an entire three seconds off of Sweetnam’s time and blaze through the timers in 42.51 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping

Eoin McMahon Makes a Splash with Victory in $37k WEF Challenge Cup Round Two

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Eoin McMahon aboard Chacon 2. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2022 – The 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued to host competition on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village on Friday, January 21, with the $37,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round Two CSI3* during WEF 2, sponsored by Hygain Feeds. In Thursday’s feature event, newcomer Eoin McMahon (IRL) experienced his first WEF victory as he and Chacon 2, owned by Beerbaum Stables, emerged unbeatable.

The Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup was the only event of the day held on the grass track and 58 top horse-and-rider combinations showed up to compete over Oscar Soberon’s (USA) first-round course. Halfway through, only nine pairings were set to advance to the jump-off, including the likes of Shane Sweetnam (IRL), Margie Engle (USA), and the previous day’s $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m Classic winner, Daniel Coyle (IRL). By the first round’s end, six more entries had joined with a clear trip, making a total of 15 set to see their way around the short course.

Egypt’s Nayel Nassar was the first of the comeback field to execute a second clear round with Coronado, but Katie Dinan (USA) only allowed for a short reprieve before stealing the lead with Dijon Terdoorn Z. Daniel Coyle (IRL) continued the streak by knocking over three seconds off of Dinan’s time to land on 42.58 seconds with Oak Grove’s Carlyle.

Coyle ultimately finished out the event in the fourth-place position as Erynn Ballard (CAN), Samuel Hutton (GBR), and McMahon all continued to find areas to shave off time. As one of the final few on to the field, McMahon and Chacon 2 closed all possible gaps and crossed the timers in a blazing 40.29 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Grace Debney and Boheme de la Roque Rock $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Classic

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Grace Debney and Boheme de la Roque. © Sportfot.

International competition during week one of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded with the $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Jumper Classic as part of the weekly CaptiveOne Advisors Jumper Classic series. Grace Debney (GBR) flew to the win with her trusty mare Boheme de la Roque.

Stormy weather threatened to derail afternoon classes, but the clouds parted ways long enough for the $37,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Jumper Classic to run as scheduled.

There were 20 combinations that competed over a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen Jr. (ECU). Time allowed was a factor with eight riders accumulating time faults. Only three riders ultimately advanced to the jump-off.

First to jump off was Brian Moggre (USA) riding Stevie Macken’s Dior P Z who set the time to beat at 36.95 seconds for an eventual third-place finish. Next to challenge was Debney and her own Boheme de la Roque. They shaved almost two seconds off of Moggre’s time, finishing in 35.02 seconds. Matthew Boddy (GBR) was last to go in both the first round and the jump-off, but he couldn’t quite catch Debney, crossing the timers in 36.20 seconds and finishing in second place.

Debney was competing in the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior Jumper Classic, presented by Griffis Residential, when it started torrentially downpouring, and management eventually had to put the show on hold.

In Writing and Sterling Malnik Dazzle in T&R Development Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Division

The first championship in the Rost Arena was for the T&R Development Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division. Sterling Malnik of Ocean Ridge, FL with her horse In Writing topped three out of the five classes in the division on their way to the championship title.

The division started Saturday and resumed with the under saddle on Sunday morning, in which Philippa Ammann strutted to the win with Katarina Ammann’s Balousock B.B.S. Ammann and the 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Balougraph went on to score an 85 in the stake class for their second win of the day, boosting them to the reserve championship honors.

It was Malnik and In Writing’s consistency over the two days of competition that ultimately clinched the championship. The pair won both over fences classes on Saturday including the handy with scores of 86 and 88. They finished on Sunday with a win in the third over fences class with a score of 86.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping

Spencer Smith and Ayade Hero Z Fly to Win in $140k Southern Arches Grand Prix CSI3* at WEF

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Spencer Smith and Ayade Hero Z. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 15, 2022 – The $140,000 Southern Arches Grand Prix CSI3* was the feature event of the week at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Saturday, January 15, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Part of the popular “Saturday Night Lights” series, Spencer Smith (USA) wowed the crowd and jumped to victory with Ransome Rombauer’s Ayade Hero Z.

There were 45 entries in the biggest class of the week, and they competed over a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen Jr. (ECU). Eight were able to find the path to a clear round and continued to the jump-off.

Starting out the jump-off with a bang was Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington (USA) and his 10-year-old KWPN mare Orafina (For Fashion x Canturo). They set the time to beat at 36 seconds flat, which would hold up for second place.

Smith and Ayade Hero Z were able to bring the winning time down to a blisteringly fast 34.31 seconds to take the win. Leaving out a stride in the first line was not originally in Smith’s plan.

First Lady Is First Place with McLain Ward in the CP National Grand Prix

Daytime competition in the International Arena was highlighted by the $30,000 CP National Grand Prix. McLain Ward and Robin Parsky’s First Lady outran the rest of the field to emerge victorious.

Thirty-eight entries attempted the course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen Jr. (ECU) with 10 horses jumping clear to advance to the jump-off.

First to jump off was Jennifer Waxman (USA), who set the time to beat at 43.786 seconds aboard The Scato Group LLC’s Scato van de Molenbrug Z. With each round, the jump-off got faster and faster until McLain Ward (USA) and First Lady could not be caught, crossing the timers in 39.125 seconds.

First Lady is a star in the making that has been with Ward for two years.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Competitions, Show Jumping

Jimmy Torano and Chewbacca HCC Take First Win of FEI Competition during WEF

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Jimmy Torano and Chewbacca HCC © Sportfot.

The 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued with the second week of the 13-week long circuit. Starting out the International Arena with a win was Jimmy Torano (USA) and Chewbacca HCC with victory in the Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Jumpers.

While the first FEI ranking class takes place Thursday, January 13, FEI horses were able to compete Wednesday in the Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Jumper Pre-FEI Horses class. Torano and Chewbacca HCC came away with the win in a time of 76.093 seconds. Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) & Andy Christiansen Jr. (ECU) are the course designers for the International Arena this week.

Just behind them was David O’Brien (IRL), who rode Chansonette Farm LLC’s EL Balou Old, a 10-year-old stallion by Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Balou Du Rouet, in 76.478 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and the 13-year-old Rhinelander gelding Alejandro (Acorado’s ASS x Continue), owned by Sweet Oak Farm, Spy Coast Farm, and Seabrook LLC.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Opening 2022 WEF Grand Prix Victory Goes to McLain Ward and Catoki

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McLain Ward and Catoki © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 9, 2022 – Premiere week at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded on Sunday, January 9, with a highlight class of the week, the $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix. McLain Ward (USA) and Catoki took the victory in the class.

The Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix had 32 entries that contested a course set by Eric Hasbrouck (USA). Eight were clear to advance to the jump-off. First to return for the jump-off were Thursday’s Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup winners, Hector Florentino (DOM) and ABC Quantum Cruise, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by OBOS Quality x Cruising owned by Wyndmont. They set the time to beat at 37.677 seconds with a clear round.

Robin Schwartz Celebrates a Championship Return to WEF

Robin Schwartz and her horse Back in the Game won all three classes on Sunday to conclude the Marshall & Sterling Adult Amateur Hunter Older (Section B) division with the championship ribbon. Sharing the winner’s circle was Nicole Harris and her horse Le Diplomate, who finished with the reserve championship honors. Schwartz, who trains with Devan Cottrell and Matt Piccolo at Arrow Hill Farms, and Harris, who trains with Jason Schnelle at Autumn Chase Farm, both hail from Tennessee.

This was Schwartz’s first time back showing at WEF in 19 years, and it has been an emotional return.

“It feels amazing to be back at WEF, and I am blessed to have such an awesome horse,” said Schwartz. “[The E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring] was always my favorite ring to show in.”

Schwartz’s daughter’s developing passion for horses got her back in the saddle.

Schwartz explained, “I knew if she liked it, then I’d have to get back into this, because I love all things about this.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.