Tag Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

Marie Hecart & Oceane de Nantuel Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Alexa Effron Sweeps the Coldwell Banker Children’s 14 & Under Hunters

Marie Hecart and Oceane du Nantuel. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 22, 2012 – The second week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival came to a close today, and competition in the International Arena was fierce with the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Marie Hecart (FRA) was the fastest clear round in the jump-off on Ecurie Michel Hecart’s Oceane de Nantuel. Second place went to last week’s 1.50m winners, Nick Skelton (GBR) and Beverley Widdowson’s Unique. Yann Candele (CAN) and Lansdowne, owned by Susan Grange, were third.

The second week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The third week, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, runs from January 25-29. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Marie Hecart & Oceane de Nantuel Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Scott Brash and Intertoy Z Top $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2*

Sambalino and Becky Gochman Top Elite Shavings Amateur-Owner Over 35 Championship

Scott Brash and Intertoy Z. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2012 – A great crowd came out to watch the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2* at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Topping a full field of competitors and winning in front of more than 4,000 spectators was Great Britain’s Scott Brash on Stan Brash’s Intertoy Z. Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) was second on Torrey Pines & Ashland Stables’ Derly Chin de Muze. Eighteen-year-old Katherine Dinan (USA) was third on Grant Road Partners’ Vancouver.

The second week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Scott Brash and Intertoy Z Top $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2*

Team Guardian Tops the Field at PRO DerbyCross in Wellington

Team Guardian. Photos: Stockimageservices.com

Wellington, FL – January 21, 2012 – It was an epic night for Team Guardian who dominated PRO DerbyCross at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

A team event with teams of five made up of three eventing riders, a show jumper and a polo player, jumped a hybrid cross country and show jumping course and the fastest combined score won.

Captain Karen O’Connor’s squad was so impressive that she didn’t have to jump for a score (one eventing score gets dropped) but she led her team to a dominating effort on Team Rebecca’s Veronica – impressing the crowds as the final competitor.

Continue reading Team Guardian Tops the Field at PRO DerbyCross in Wellington

Lillie Keenan Triumphs in USEF/Platinum Performance Show Jumping Talent Search

Laura Chapot and Valentia Take Top Prize in World Development Group 1.35m Jumpers

Lillie Keenan and Monterrey. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 20, 2012 – Forty-one of the nation’s top young riders showed in the USEF/Platinum Performance Show Jumping Talent Search in Wellington this morning with a win for Lillie Keenan aboard Chansonette Farm LLC’s Monterrey. Riders showed over a course set by Danny Moore, of Spring Hill, FL, and the top twelve were invited to return under saddle.

The second week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week two is the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, January 21, at 7 p.m.

Continue reading Lillie Keenan Triumphs in USEF/Platinum Performance Show Jumping Talent Search

Nick Skelton Scores Again in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 with Carlo 273

Ken Berkley and Prestige Win Sanctuary First Year Green Working Hunter Championship

Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 won the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 19, 2012 – Nick Skelton (GBR) accumulated another win at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) today in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup 2, this time taking the top prize with Beverley Widdowson’s Carlo 273. The Irish took the next two places, with Richie Moloney on Slieveanorra, owned by Equinimity LLC/Richie Moloney in second and Cian O’Connor on Ashkirk Ltd. & Cian O’Connor’s Blue Loyd 12 in third.

The second week of the FTI WEF runs through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit. The highlight jumper class in week two is the $50,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Grand Prix, CSI 2* on Saturday, January 21, at 7 p.m.

Continue reading Nick Skelton Scores Again in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 with Carlo 273

Katie Robinson and Lady O Awarded Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship at WEF I

Katie Robinson and Lady O won the Amateur Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship during WEF I. Photo By: SportFot

Wellington, FL – January 18, 2012 – Katie Robinson was very successful during the first week of the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Riding for her family’s Deeridge Farm, Robinson took home top honors in the Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter division. She captured the championship tricolor aboard Lady O, and also earned two first place ribbons riding Rock Steady.

Robinson piloted Lady O to winning honors in the competitive Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter division. The duo earned two first place ribbons, a third place ribbon, and a fourth place ribbon to claim the championship cooler.

“Lady O hasn’t shown since Devon, so I am really happy that she performed so well; she hasn’t forgotten anything,” said Robinson. “She was very relaxed and happy to be in the ring, so that was great. Lady O just needs a really relaxed, calm ride; she does all the work.”

Continue reading Katie Robinson and Lady O Awarded Amateur-Owner 35 & Over Hunter Championship at WEF I

McLain Ward Breaks Leg in Fall

McLain Ward and Oh d'Eole winning the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 1. Photo by Sportfot

It’ll be mid-May before grand prix fans might see two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward back in the ring. Ward, 36, suffered a compound fracture of his left patella, or kneecap, on the evening of Jan. 14.

Ward was riding Oh d’Eole in the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix during the first week of competition at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Fla. Oh d’Eole, a 10-year-old Selle Francais mare, had won the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 two days before. “She was getting a little green under the lights [during the night class],” said Ward.

They ran into trouble at a one-stride combination. “She jumped so high jumping into the combination over A that I went to pull her out from the B, but she left the ground anyway. Then, I hit my kneecap on the standard.”

Continue reading McLain Ward Breaks Leg in Fall

FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week One Wrap-up and Week Two Upcoming Events

Wellington, FL – January 16, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival has put week one in the books. It was a week of great competition and everyone at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center can look forward to an exciting second week of competition.

The first week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Surpass. The second week of the FTI WEF runs from Wednesday, January 18, through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Upcoming Events for Week Two – Don’t Miss These Exciting and Fun Activities!

The Ride & Learn Series is composed of weekly mounted riding clinics that will be conducted by some of the most well-known and experienced professionals in the business. The cost to ride in the clinic is $125, and auditing is free. These clinics will take place every Tuesday, beginning the second week of the FTI WEF with a clinic by Patricia Griffith in the International Arena on January 17. Space to ride in the clinics is limited, so contact Rosemary Bertin at 561-371-9598 cubbybertin@comcast.net to join in.

Continue reading FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week One Wrap-up and Week Two Upcoming Events

Nick Skelton and Unique Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Debbie Kelly and Sheldon Cooper Win Camping World Adult Amateur Hunter 51+ Championship

Nick Skelton and Unique. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 15, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival concluded competition for week one today. In the International Arena, the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was the main event. Nick Skelton (GBR) continued his solid week of success and capped it with a win on Unique, owned by Beverley Widdowson. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Wannahave, owned by The Wannahave Group, finished second, while Alexa Pessoa (USA) on Madison was third.

The first week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Surpass. The second week of the FTI WEF runs from Wednesday, January 18, through Sunday, January 22, and is sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty. The 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 1, 2012, and they will be awarding more than $6 million in prize money through the circuit.

Continue reading Nick Skelton and Unique Win $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic

Beezie Madden and Simon Take First “Saturday Night Lights” Victory in $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix

Spandau and Schaefer Raposa Garner Marley Goodman Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Championship

Beezie Madden and Simon. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – January 14, 2012 – The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) hosted its first “Saturday Night Lights” event this evening with the $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix. Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden (USA) and new mount Simon, owned by Abigail Wexner, took home the blue ribbon. Nick Skelton (GBR) and Beverley Widdowson’s Unique finished second, while Cian O’Connor (IRL) rode Blue Loyd, owned by Ashkirk Ltd and Cian O’Connor, to third place.

In the first round of the grand prix, Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward fell with Oh D’ Eole at the 8b obstacle. Ward was taken out of the ring to an ambulance and transported to Wellington Regional Medical Center, where he is being attended by specialists for a fractured kneecap. Oh D’ Eole was examined by veterinarians and is unhurt.

Continue reading Beezie Madden and Simon Take First “Saturday Night Lights” Victory in $30,000 Surpass Grand Prix