Michael Murphy and Kaida CM Race Home in $62,500 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix

Michael Murphy & Kaida CM. Photo © Sportfot

Michael Murphy (USA) and Kaida CM’s partnership is one year in the making, and they’re proving the pieces are really falling into place by securing a win on Sunday of Week 4 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in the $62,500 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix.

South Coast’s 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Kannan x Indoctro) put in a very quick jump-off with Murphy aboard to best seven pairs that challenged Anderson Lima’s (BRA) short course.

“My horse is so quick,” Murphy — a Wellington local — said of Kaida CM. “If she’s clean, she’s quick. She’s better when she can gallop. When I try to ride her too slow and make her too traditional, it’s not her style.”

The jump-off proved to be just the mare’s style Sunday, earning her the win. In second was Carlee McCutcheon (USA) aboard Aralyn Blue, owned by Ann C Thompson, and in third was Michael’s wife Lauren Murphy (USA) aboard Voltanos.

The win was another notch on the horse’s record as she and Michael Murphy continue to test the gears together. “She won a three-star grand prix over the summer, and she’s won a few ranking classes,” he said of her progression. “She has a lot of blood, so it’s been taking a long time to learn how to manage that.”

Ellie Sadrian and JJ Torano Claim Junior Hunter Championships

Seventeen-year-old Ellie Sadrian was feeling like a bit of a bridesmaid, being named reserve champion three times this season and not yet securing a championship. That streak ended Sunday of WEF 4 as she was named champion of the Voltaire Design Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division aboard Wonderous.

“We imported him three years ago,” Sadrian, of Palm Beach, FL, said of her partnership with the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding. “He moved me up from the 3’3”. We had a successful indoors this year and he was perfect.”

Wonderous, or “Sugar,” as he’s known in the barn, has always given Sadrian a great deal of confidence, able to move up and keep staying strong through their years together.

“I’ve had him the longest out of all my horses so he’s what I know how to ride,” she explained regarding where the confidence comes from. “He’s a really good jumper, not the best mover but we did really well in the hack this week. He’s consistent.”

Unlike Sadrian and Sugar’s long-term relationship, JJ Torano, 14, of Wellington, FL, rode Filou’s Lady for the first time on Saturday. They then won their first tricolor together on Sunday. With the Rafferty Farm-owned entry, Torano earned top ribbons all weekend to be named champion in the T&R Development Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division.

“Yesterday was my first time ever sitting on her,” he said of his brand-new partnership with the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare. “I’d seen the horse a little bit; I have friends who have ridden her. The horse is with Boggs Hill the Goguens and they gave me the opportunity to ride it this week in the junior hunters.”

Torano’s method is simple: “I rode her yesterday, figured it out a little in the schooling area, and we went in the ring,” he said. “Very easy horse, very simple, easygoing. It was a good opportunity from the Goguens.”

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