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Rodrigo Lambre Scores Premier Equestrian Grand Prix CSIO4* Victory at WEF

Rodrigo Lambre and Catover. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 1, 2020 – Brazilian rider Rodrigo Lambre topped the $214,000 Premier Equestrian Grand Prix CSIO4* riding Catover on Sunday, March 1, 2020, to conclude week eight of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

USA’s Ken Krome set a two-round track for 50 challengers in the final event of the week, and saw eight qualify for a tie-breaking jump-off. Lambre saved the best for last as the final jump-off rider. He and Catover were fast and precise to stop the clock double-clear in 37.73 seconds for the win over Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Chaqui Z in 38.29 seconds.

“He is amazing,” said Lambre of Catover, an 11-year-old Holsteiner stallion (Catoki x Contact Me) owned by Mario Onate. “I have had him since he was eight, and I flat him almost every day but I’ve only actually been riding him seriously since October of last year in preparation for Tokyo. We all have Tokyo in mind this year; it’s our dream. It’s a difficult year to qualify for the team in every country, but we have also so many nations cups and so many shows that we can go in. It’s promising.”

Alexa Lignelli and Olivia Sweetnam Dominate Medium Pony Hunters to Close Out Week Eight

Two champions were crowned in the Medium Pony Hunter division in Ring 11 on Sunday. With over 30 pony-and-rider combinations, the class was held in a California Split format. Champion of Section A went to Alexa Lignelli aboard EMC Entourage. Champion of Section B of the Medium Pony Hunter division went to Olivia Sweetnam and Not So Secret.

“He’s been so awesome, and we have such a great partnership,” Lignelli commented. “Every time I get on him, he always tries his best and he is very respectful of everyone that gets on him.”

A last-minute switch gave Sweetnam the ride on Not So Secret, a 14-year-old gelding by Tapu Kid McCoy and owned by Eva Mackenzie. Even though Sweetnam had only ridden Not So Secret one time before showing him, that did not stop the pair from rising to the top of the class.

“You can kind of just float the reins and he will spot in on the jump,” Sweetnam explained. “A lot of the ones I show now are a little greener, so it was nice to get on one that knows its job.”

For full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

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