Lucas Porter and Diamante Darco. Photo © Sportfot.

Lucas Porter (USA), 21, started the final week of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) with a CSI 5* win in the $36,000 Douglas Elliman 1.45m in the International Arena on Wednesday, March 27.

Course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil set the track for Wednesday’s two-round event with 54 entries breaking the timers. One of the youngest challengers of the day, Porter was also the fastest crossing the final finish line in 25.79 seconds aboard his long-time partner Diamante Darco, owned by Sleepy P Ranch. Jumping among the first 10 horses, Porter stopped the clock at 25.79 seconds with 44 to return after him.

“It feels great to close WEF with a win and cap it off like this at the highest level of our sport,” said Porter. “Guilherme had a great course for the opening class and there were parts of the speed phase where you could run, but also sharp turns. I was really quick to the double and then the last couple fences I really shaped the turns and did as few strides as possible.”

For full results, please visit pbiec.coth.com.