Emanuel Andrade with Walter 61 at the WEF. Photo by © 2016 Jack Mancini.

Wellington, Florida – Venezuela’s Emanuel Andrade was named Circuit Champion in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper and the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper divisions to close out the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival held from January 13 through April 3 in Wellington, FL.

Andrade’s success began during the opening week of competition when he won the $15,000 Maybach – Icons of Luxury High Amateur-Owner Classic riding Walter 61.  He went on to score two more High Amateur-Owner Classic victories in week four riding Belita, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Ukato x Voltaire), and again in week eight with Walter 61, a 14-year-old German-bred gelding (Werenfels x Donator).  Consistent results all winter with Walter 61 gave the pair the overall High Amateur-Owner Circuit Champion title, presented by Maybach – Icons of Luxury.

“We had an incredible season,” said Andrade, who was gifted a pair of leather riding gloves by Maybach – Icons of Luxury as his Circuit Championship prize.  “I have a really great team behind me, and all of my horses have tried so hard this winter.  Thank you to everyone for their hard work and for making this possible.”

In the Animo Medium Amateur-Owner division, Andrade claimed the circuit championship title with Rufus de Violaines, his 10-year-old bay selle francais gelding.  The pair won the $10,000 Medium Amateur-Owner Classic during weeks two and 11.  In addition, Andrade won the $10,000 Medium Amateur-Owner Classic during week eight with Sothis D Ouilly, a nine-year-old grey selle francais mare (Cheers Cassini x Narcos II).

With the 2016 winter season drawing to a close, Andrade will begin competing on the Longines Global Champions Tour.  The first stop is Miami, FL from April 7 to 10.  Andrade is a member of the Vienna Eagles team in the new Global Champions League, competing alongside teammates Danielle Goldstein, Lauren Hough, Rodrigo Pessoa, and Paris Sellon.

Andrade represented Venezuela at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France and was involved in a jump-off for the individual bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.  At the age of 19, he hopes to make his Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this summer.

Andrade is based at Hollow Creek Farm, proud sponsor of the Children’s, Junior and Young Rider Nations’ Cup events at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Media Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca