Tag Archives: Winter Equestrian Festival

McLain Ward and HH Azur Return to Winner’s Circle in $216k CSIO4* Grand Prix

McLain Ward with HH Azur. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 6, 2022 – Competition for week 8 at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), presented by Premier Equestrian, concluded on Sunday, March 6, with the $216,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix, presented by JTWG, Inc. Four-time Olympic medalist McLain Ward (USA) and his veteran partner HH Azur, owned by Double H Farm, led the victory gallop.

There were 48 starters in Sunday afternoon’s grand prix, and they contested a course designed by Nick Granat (USA) and Steve Stephens (USA). Eight were clear to advance to the jump-off. Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and Cornwall BH started the short course first but a rail for four faults in 36.75 seconds left them in fourth place. Karl Cook (USA) and Helen Signe Ostby’s Coachella 4 also had four faults in a slower time of 38.05 seconds for seventh place.

Ward and HH Azur were next into the ring and “Annie” stretched her stride out to blaze around the course clear in 35.22 seconds, setting an unbeatable time.

“She was really covering the ground great,” affirmed Ward. “I always have to watch a little bit of her left turn. That’s always been her weak side, so I was a little worried about the Fidelity jump, but I made sure she jumped it before I tried to turn back too quick. She really performed beautifully, and we were able to get the nine [strides] home and put just enough pressure on these guys that we held up.”

Ward’s student Lillie Keenan (USA) and Agana van het Gerendal Z, owned by Chansonette Farm LLC, were quick in 37.20 seconds but with four faults; they finished in sixth place. Hilary McNerney (USA) rode her own Captain Cooper to eighth place after eight faults in 38.28 seconds.

At just 24 years old, Ioli Mytilineou (GRE) continues to show her growth in the sport. She and Levis de Muze, owned by Elia Construction SA, stopped the timers in 36.84 seconds with a clear round and slotted into second place at the end of the class.

Of her top grand prix finish, Mytilineou expressed, “It means absolutely everything, to be honest. Last year here I was mostly fourth or fifth place, so I never actually got into the prize-giving ceremony. To be in it between McLain and Ben, two of the best riders in the world, is insane to me.

“When I went into the ring, the last thing my trainer said to me was, ‘Don’t risk a rail. You can be quicker than McLain anyway.’ I just looked at him and laughed, but I tried to go as fast as I could and go clear,” she recalled.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Ireland Takes Home Victory in $150k Nations Cup CSIO4*

Max Wachman led the Irish team aboard Berlux Z. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – Eleven nations brought forth teams to compete in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4*, presented by Premier Equestrian, the highlight event of the eighth week of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL. The flag for Ireland was raised at the end of the night as the team, consisting of Andrew Bourns, Cian O’Connor, Eoin McMahon, and Max Wachman, led by Chef d’Equipe Michael Blake, won the fourth Nations Cup for Ireland in the 21-year history of the class at WEF.

Teams from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, the United States, and Venezuela competed in Round One, and the top eight returned for Round Two under the lights in the International Arena.

Heading into Round Two, Ireland was tied with Canada at zero faults after three clear rounds from McMahon and Beerbaum Stables’s Chakra 9, Wachman and Berlux Z, owned by Coolmore Show Jumping, and Bourns on Sea TopBlue, owned by QBS Equestrian LLC. With three clear rounds, O’Connor did not have to compete with Cerruti Van Ter Hulst Z, owned by Ronnoco Jump Ltd.

Just one rail behind and tied for second were Great Britain, Australia, and Mexico. Belgium and the USA sat on eight faults, while Argentina had 10 faults. There were 16 clear trips in the first round over the course designed by Nick Granat (USA) and Steve Stephens (USA).

Fortunes changed dramatically in the second round as more rails fell, but with solid performances from the Irish team, they came away with the win.

Karl Cook and Ircos IV Unconventional in $50,000 1.50m National Grand Prix

Forty-three horse-and-rider pairs tackled a course of 16 obstacles on Saturday in the $50,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m National Grand Prix which took place in the International Arena. The course was set with an allowed time of 76 seconds over a challenging track which included a triple combination.

First in the ring was Francis Derwin (IRL) who would go clear aboard Vlock Show Stables LLC’s Ricore Courcelle. The pair would ultimately come in third after being only one of 13 to post no faults in the first round. In the jump-off, they recorded a time of 34.292 seconds as one of five double clears.

Riding second to last in the jump-off, Karl Cook (USA) and Ircos IV, a 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Helen Signe Ostby. Cook and Ircos IV finished their jump-off round in a time of 33.234 seconds, edging out second-place rider Shane Sweetnam (IRL) with Indra Van De Oude Heihoef, owned by The Blue Buckle Group, who clocked in at 33.339 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Caroline Mawhinney Triumphs in $25k Hermès Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix

Caroline Mawhinney with Stella Levista. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 4, 2022 – The highlight class on Friday, March 4, of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) week 8, sponsored by Premier Equestrian, was the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix. Sixteen-year-old Caroline Mawhinney (USA) triumphed over a field of 66 competitors with her own Stella Levista.

The top young talent in show jumping showed up for the Hermès Under 25 Semi-Final Grand Prix, the third grand prix event of the series, which offers a variety of opportunities for U25 riders to experience grand prix competition against their peers. Nick Granat (USA) and Steve Stephens (USA) set a challenging course that included a triple combination and an open water, over which just nine of the opening field finished clear.

As the pacesetters in the opening round, 21-year-old Isabella Russekoff (USA) and Balou’s Fly High, owned by Suave Pony LLC, were the first to tackle the jump-off course. They set a quick time of 39.85 seconds with a clear round that would hold up for third place.

Mawhinney and Stella Levista zoomed through the short course in 35.56 seconds with no faults to go straight to the top of the leaderboard, and with two remaining that were slower or had faults, they held the winning spot.

Caitlyn Connors (USA) and Falcon de Hus, owned by Caitlyn Connors LLC, slid into second place with a speedy clear round in 39.63 seconds.

Grace Debney and Zarina De Vidau Zoom to the Top of the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSIO4*

Daytime competition in the International Arena highlighted the $37,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1.45m CSIO4*. Course designers Granat and Stephens set a delicate, single-round track that would see 46 horse-and-rider combinations elect to contest the course. John Perez (COL) and Gigi-Carmen wasted no time kicking the class into gear as the first in the line-up to go and laid down a fast, clean trip from the start. An impressive 22 combinations managed to successfully navigate the test without penalty, but 15 would suffer a single dropped obstacle.

Of the 19 nations represented in the field, it was Great Britain’s anthem that was played as young talent Grace Debney (GBR) and her long-time partner Zarina De Vidau rose as the victors of the event. The 18-year-old athlete and Temple Equestrian LLC’s 12-year-old CDE mare (Diamant De Semilly) stopped the clock in a blazing 56.10 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Victory for Verlooy in the $37k Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round VIII

Jos Verlooy and Luciano Van Het Geinsteinde. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2022 – The eighth week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Premier Equestrian, wasted no time delving straight into international competition on Thursday. Riders from across the globe will attend throughout the week in preparation for the $150,000 Nations Cup CSI04* on Saturday night, followed by the $216,000 JTWG, Inc. Grand Prix CSIO4* on Sunday. The morning kicked off with a win for Belgium’s Jos Verlooy in the $37,000 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round VIII CSIO4*.

A large field of 71 horse-and-rider combinations representing 24 nations during the nations cup-centered week made their bid to win the single round speed class. Nick Granat (USA) and Steve Stephens (USA) created a challenging task for the entries and only 13 managed to produce fault-free efforts. Carlos Hank Guerriero of Mexico led the charge for the majority of the class with H5 Sunshine but slipped from the lead when Verlooy shaved off two whole seconds from his time and finished in 71.28 seconds with Luciano Van Het Geinsteinde.

Guerriero’s efforts with the H5 Sport Horses LLC’s 14-year-old BWP gelding (Diamant De Semilly x Hardi) couldn’t quite hold the lead, but were solid enough to earn the pair the second place finish with the time of 73.03 seconds. Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and her own I-Cap CL Z rounded out the top three placings with their time of 74.91 seconds. She and the 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding (I’m Special De Muze x Air Jordan) have already had a top week having placed second in the $5,000 Premier Equestrian Welcome CSIO4* on Wednesday evening.

The afternoon brought forth wins for the up-and-coming generation with the running of the $10,000 Hermès Under 25 Welcome and the $1,000 Hermès Under 25 1.40m class. It was victory for the Irish in the $10,000 Hermès Under 25 Welcome as Max Wachman bested a 66-horse field with Coolmore Show Jumping’s 13-year-old OS gelding Quintini (Quintender 2 x Cassini II). Out of the 13 pairs in the final class of the day, Summer Hill (USA) and her own solid partner La Belle SCF put forth the best effort in the $1,000 Hermès Under 25 1.40m class. She and the 11-year-old BWP mare (Diktator Van De Boslandhoeve x Baldini) crossed the timers in 63.04 seconds to secure the top honors.

Tyler Petrie and Galileo Shine Bright in ESP Open Hunter 3’3” Division

Pairings in the ESP Open Hunter 3’3” division made their way to Ring 12 on Thursday to finish out their performances and designate a champion. Recent college graduate Tyler Petrie piloted Ann E. Rice Ervin’s Galileo under the guidance of Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw to add a third and sixth place to their previous days’ results of two firsts and a sixth.

The young pro only acquired the ride on the 11-year-old mount in June after she graduated USC and began working for Robertshaw and Danta’s Beaver River Farm.

Reserve champion was also earned by Petrie with Ervin’s other mount, Alright. For only their second competition as a team, the duo had great results worthy of a first, second, and third.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Deusser Secures Second Win of WEF 7 in $75k 1.50m Championship Classic CSI5*

Daniel Deusser © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 27, 2022 – Five-star competition at the seventh week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) culminated on Sunday, February 27, in the $75,000 CaptiveOne Advisors 1.50m Championship Classic CSI5* where Daniel Deusser (GER) secured his second victory of the week. Deusser was also the victor of the $75,000 Adequan ® WEF Challenge Cup Round VII CSI5* with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z on Thursday of week 7.

A total of 53 pairings put forth an effort in the first-round track of the final five-star course of the week designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen (ECU). The class was one of many throughout the week to have an impressive turnout of international athletes with 17 different nations represented in the starting field. Early in the class, five entries had already qualified to return for the short track including McLain Ward (USA), Erynn Ballard (CAN), Andrzej Oplatek (POL), Chloe Reid (USA), and Jos Verlooy (BEL). When the final horse on course crossed the timers, an additional 10 duos had managed to navigate their way clear. Two competitors suffered at the fate of a single time fault while one dropped rail kept another 11 out of contention.

Ward kicked off the 15-horse comeback field and took the early lead with The Kasper Group LLC’s Kasper Van Het Hellehof. The top position shifted rapidly after that with multiple riders giving it their all in hopes of taking the win. As the class wound down, Deusser crossed under the bridge with his second jump-off mount, Kiana Van Het Herdershof. Having already gotten a feel for the track with Killer Queen VDM, Deusser precisely pinpointed what areas he needed to correct for the win and emerged victorious with a clean time of 33.36 seconds.

The Stephex Stables’ 12-year-old BWP mare (Toulon x Lys De Darmen) only began showing again in February of 2022 at WEF after a hiatus dating back to July 2021. The duo placed third in the $37,000 Bainbridge 1.45m CSI5* during WEF 5.

Deusser’s stablemate Petronella Andersson (SWE) produced a top ride for her weekend and slid into second place. She and the Stephex Stables’ 10-year-old KWPN mare Halita O (Eldorado VD Zeshoek x Heartbreaker) clocked in just over a second behind Deusser with a time of 34.87 seconds.

Belgium’s Jos Verlooy and FTS Killossery Konfusion (SIEC Livello x Cruising), a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding owned by Eurohorse BVBA, finished up with a time of 34.34 seconds over the track to finish in third place.

Maria Costa Captures Home Team Win in $50,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix CSI2*

The International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) closed out the week with the $50,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic Grand Prix CSI2*. Forty-four horse-and-rider contenders competed for the opportunity to jump-off but only 12 managed to put forth a fault-free round one effort. Late in the order, 29-year-old Maria Costa (USA) put on the gas pedal and piloted her long-time partner Valentino V Z to win the class with a top time of 37.85.

“This might sound crazy, but I was on him for all of 30 seconds when I tried him, and I just knew I had to have him,” described Costa of her 13-year-old Zangersheide stallion (Verdi TN x Converter). “Our relationship is really special to me. I have had him since he was a seven-year-old, and it was certainly a rocky road in the beginning. We stayed super consistent with him. He is the type of horse that really appreciates consistency so about two years in he just kind of decided he liked it. Our bond has gotten to the point where I would comfortably ride into war on him. I always know he has my back and I have his, so I would have to say it is the most special connection I have ever had with a horse. I can’t imagine it ever getting better.”

Friday’s qualifying class winners, Fabio Leivas Da Costa (BRA) and Bonne Chance Farm LLC’s nine-year-old KWPN gelding Ilex (Baltic VDL x Chn Chin), had another impressive finish as they stepped into the second-place position with a time of 38.29 seconds. Charlotte Jacobs (USA) bookended the victory gallop aboard North Star’s nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Rincoola Milsean. The combination came just one-tenth of a second short of Da Costa and finished in 38.41 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Déjà Vu for Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro in $406k Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* at WEF

Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 26, 2022 – Irish Olympian Bertram Allen made history at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) as he scored back-to-back grand prix victories on the same two weeks he had also won in 2021. A two-time winner of WEF 6’s IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3* in 2021 and 2022, Allen again rose to the top on Saturday, February 26, 2022, in the $406,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* with Pacino Amiro, the same mount he rode to victory in 2021.

Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) and Andy Christiansen (ECU) set a challenging track for the 40 entries in the “Saturday Night Lights” class. Five were able to go clear over the first-round course while 12 fell victim to just one rail down. Fifteen countries were represented in the grand prix order, with four flags in the jump-off.

Bliss Heers praised the course designers, saying, “It’s always tough building here because of the level of competitors and horsepower. You want something difficult enough, but not something that will scare the horses because you want to keep them confident that the Saturday night class is going to be a good class. They did a great job, and it was fair.”

First to return for the jump-off was Olympian Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Ladriano Z, a 14-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Lawito x Baloubet Du Rouet owned by Over the Top Stables LLC. With a rail for four faults and a time of 45.59 seconds, Bluman finished in fourth place.

Allen was next in, and he opened up Pacino Amiro’s giant stride to gallop across the jump-off clear in 44.14 seconds.

Success from the Start for Catherine Kramer and Gotye in Ariat National Adult Medal

On Saturday in the FarmVet Ring, 16 horse-and-rider combinations took to the course in the Ariat National Adult Medal. Holding on to their lead with a high score of 87, Catherine Kramer, of Indianapolis, IN, and Gotye took top honors after further testing.

The top four were brought back to test in reverse order, entering the ring individually and immediately picking up the counter-canter on a direct route to their first fence. The additional testing began after the top four entries were called, the test read, and the announcement of “no further schooling” was made.

Kramer and Gotye, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Lisa Carlsen, have only recently started competing together, but have already had other successes, including wins in the Ariat National Adult Medal during WEF 6 and the Bruno Delgrange Palm Beach Medal during WEF 4.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Morrissey, Propp, and Calicchio Share the Spotlight in $10k USHJA National Hunter Derby

Tiffany Morrissey with Copernicus K. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 25, 2022 – Week 7 of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, featured top hunter and jumper competition at two facilities on Thursday, February 25. Hunter riders took their turn on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, which awarded prizes to the top 12 in sections for Open, Junior, and Amateur out of 110 entries. Victories went to Tiffany Morrissey riding Dr. Kathryn Withers’s Copernicus K, Clara Propp on Aquitaine Equine’s Inquisitive, and Angela Calicchio with City Walk, owned by Cali Horse Sales LLC.

In the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, all three winners would equal or better their first-round scores with their second handy round. Morrissey and Copernicus K entered the handy round in fifth place with a plan, after a first-round score of 93, which included high option points. They moved up to the win with a second-round score of 95, giving them a total of 188.

Along with their derby win, Morrissey and Copernicus K were presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter Style Award by Laura Fetterman. Kelsey Epperson and Didgereedoo VDL, owned by Lashier Properties LLC, finished in second with an overall score of 187.25 points. Colin Syquia and Cynthia Sulzberger’s Front Page were third with 186 points.

In the Junior section, Clara Propp and Inquisitive also came into the second round looking to improve their rank after a first-round score of 85. The two sat in sixth place, but with only a fairly recent return to the ring.

The plan led to a second-round score of 92, giving them 177 for the win. Neither Propp nor Inquisitive are new to derbies, and they both thoroughly enjoy them. Propp finished fourth in last year’s derby with Arabesque and won a pony derby at WEF as well.

Second place in the Junior section went to Sydney Raidy and Dominik, owned by Joe Currais. They finished with a score of 176. Just behind with a score of 173 in third place were Elizabeth Lowham-Ruzzo and her own Secret’s Out.

Unlike Morrissey and Propp, Calicchio started her handy round in the top position with a score of 84.

The pair equaled their first-round score with another 84 to win on 168. City Walk is a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding and had a career change once Calicchio acquired him.

Lindsay Mutschler and her own Concord finished second with a total score of 153, while third place with a score of 152 went to Leah Patipa and her own Regard.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Daniel Deusser Dominates $75k Adequan WEF Challenge Cup Round VII CSI5*

Daniel Deusser and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 24, 2022 – The seventh week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, featured international five-star and two-star jumper competition on Thursday, February 24, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Thursday’s highlight was the $75,000 Adequan® WEF Challenge Cup Round VII CSI5* which was won by Daniel Deusser (GER) and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z.

Fifty-seven of the world’s elite show jumping combinations set out to contest Anthony D’Ambrosio’s (USA) first-round track in hopes that they would qualify for the jump-off and subsequently, the $406,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* on Saturday, February 26, at 7 p.m. Of the 18 nations represented in the opening field, only 10 combinations from six of those countries landed a spot for the short track. That field then went from 10 to nine returning as Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP) made the decision to save his jumps for another day.

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam led off the return field and immediately put out a challenge to the remaining riders as he and Alejandro, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, Spy Coast, and Seabrook, produced another clean round in 38.25 seconds. Always an exciting pair in a jump-off, Deusser and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z entered third and overthrew Sweetnam by clocking in almost a second faster at 37.42 seconds. Those following put forward their best efforts but as the final horse stopped the clock, it was obvious Deusser and the 14-year-old Zangersheide stallion (Otangelo x Mr Blue) gelding had succeeded.

Ashley Vogel Victorious in $6,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic 1.45m CSI2*

The International Arena welcomed 23 horse-and rider-combinations on Thursday morning to navigate a course set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) for the $6,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic 1.45m CSI2*.

With blue skies above, it was Ashley Vogel aboard Lucy In The Sky who donned the blue sash with a time of 62.65 seconds in the speed class as the fastest of seven clear rounds.

Already showing success at higher levels, Vogel intends to continue their partnership going forward. “In the last year and a half, I’ve gotten a lot of results on her, some speed classes and things, and now I’m starting to step up into some of the FEI classes and she’s really excelling,” she said. “I believe I’ll be doing some more speeds throughout circuit though, some 1.40m classes, some 1.45m, and hopefully we’ll see some more results and mileage for both of us, so I’m really excited for that.”

The second-place ribbon went to Quentin Judge (USA) riding HH Qualido owned by Double H Farm with a time of 63.01 seconds, and Maria Costa (USA) rounded out the top three on her own Iceman B SFN with a time of 66.58 seconds.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

PBIEC Update on EHV-1 Measures

As many of you are aware, a number of EHV-1 cases have recently occurred in California. As horsemen, our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those in California that are dealing with this. It is however a reminder to all equestrians that EHV-1 is always present and it is our responsibility to always be proactive to minimize any possible exposure. Although there are currently no reported cases of EHV-1 in Wellington, Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is taking active measures to protect horses at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

In an abundance of caution, ESP management will be implementing the following biosecurity protocols:

  • Anyone shipping horses into the PBIEC facility and any new back numbers processed will be required to sign a declaration stating that the horses entering the facility are healthy and have not competed in California or been in close contact with horses that competed in California within 14 days prior to their arrival.
  • As we have done from the beginning of our FEI season, ESP will continue to enforce the protocols set by the FEI to enter the FEI compound. Please make sure you are logging the required temperatures twice per day in the FEI horse app and at least once on the morning of arrival to the FEI compound. Please ensure you are meeting requirements by downloading the FEI Horse App if you have not already done so. It can be found at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

It is our shared responsibility to keep our horses safe. We urge all equestrians to please remember and abide by the following biosecurity measures:

  • Take all horses’ temperatures daily and immediately report any horse with a temperature above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit or any signs of respiratory or neurological disease to your veterinarian and/or show management.
  • Take the temperature of all horses prior to shipping to WEF or AGDF, and do not bring any febrile horses or horses exposed to fevers of unknown origin to the show.
  • Avoid mixing of horses where possible, practice equine social distancing. Please consider isolating any new horse(s) introduced to your farm for a minimum of 14 days.
  • Ensure good hygiene and biosecurity at the show and your home farms.
  • Make sure your horses are currently vaccinated for influenza and EHV. Under no circumstances should a horse that has been vaccinated compete within 7 days.
  • You should be able to document your horse’s normal temperature before arrival. Please do not ship horses with elevated temperatures. It is recommended that you establish a log of temperatures taken at least twice daily. If there is an elevated temperature for more than a 24-hour period, please consult your local veterinarian immediately.
  • Every effort should be made to minimize stress and commingling of horses shipped long distances. Extra hours on a horse van or moving from stable to stable is the fastest way to compromise your horses’ and your neighbor’s horses’ health.
  • Please take the time to review equine good hygiene practices and impress their importance to your grooms and barn managers in everyday care.

Further biosecurity protocols and additional resources can be found here:

United States Department of Agriculture Information on Equine Herpesvirus

American Association of Equine Practitioners FAQ on Equine Herpesvirus

United States Equestrian Federation Biosecurity Measures for Horses at Home and at Competitions

Information on the current known positive EHV-1 cases can be found here: https://equinediseasecc.org/alerts.

ESP has longstanding protocols to manage such events and will provide isolation facilities if and as required. Experience has taught us that early identification is key when dealing with disease outbreaks, and this requires cooperation from everyone within the community.

If you have any questions or concerns about your horse’s health, please contact our veterinary partners: Palm Beach Equine Clinic at 561-793-1599.

For more information, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Bertram Allen Repeats Victory in $140k IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3*

Bertram Allen and Harley VD Bisschop. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 20, 2022 – The sixth week of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by IDA Development, concluded on Sunday, February 20, with a day full of show jumping on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village while hunters continued on the main stage of the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Olympian Bertram Allen (IRL) sped to victory for the second year in row in the $140,000 IDA Development Grand Prix CSI3*, this year riding his own Harley VD Bisschop.

Forty-five entries took to the field to contest the three-star grand prix over a course designed by Ana Catalina Harris Cruz (MEX). Fifteen competitors found the key to a clear round, and with one retirement from the jump-off, 14 contested the short course.

2020 Tokyo Olympic Games individual gold medalist Ben Maher (GBR) and Oakingham Stud’s Faltic HB were the eighth to go in the jump-off list, chasing a time of 42.47 seconds set by Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco, owned by Evergate Stables, LLC. Maher galloped through the course and set the new time to beat at 40.92 seconds.

The two subsequent riders made a good bid for the lead but finished just off the pace: Conor Swail (IRL) and his own Count Me In were double clear in 41.84 seconds for fourth place, while Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Coronado, owned by Evergate Stables, LLC, finished in 42.30 seconds for fifth place. Barnmate Smolders ended up in sixth place.

Following Nassar in the ring was Olympian Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA) with H5 Sport Horses LLC’s H5 Elvaro. They slotted into third place with a final time of 40.95 seconds, just three-hundredths of a second off Maher’s time.

With the best position in the order, Allen and Harley VD Bisschop were the final combination into the jump-off. With a giant gallop and flowing rollbacks, the pair flew through the timers in a class-winning 39.66 seconds.

Grace Debney and Boheme de la Roque Turn and Burn Their Way to Another Victory in the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix

Young riders took to the Derby Field first thing Sunday morning, with 74 combinations on the list to challenge Ana Catalina Cruz Harris’s carefully designed track for the $25,000 Hermès Under 25 Grand Prix. While the course proved challenging, 15 riders found the clear path to advance to the jump-off. After an electric race over the short course, it was Grace Debney (GBR) and her partner Boheme de la Roque who added yet another blue ribbon to their growing collection.

Ashley Vogel (USA) was the third rider on the grass this morning with her horse Ceres van het Moeshof, and she set the pace in the jump-off, going clear in 41.99 seconds. She would eventually finish in sixth place as the time to beat got faster and faster with each rider who followed.

Caelinn Leahy (USA) managed to slice the leading time down to 39.35 seconds with Steve Schaefer’s Coldplay 31. It looked like Leahy’s time couldn’t be caught, though Ireland’s Francis Derwin came close, crossing the timers in 40.47 seconds with Scarlett du Sart, owned by Vlock Show Stables LLC.

Two horses later, it was Grace Debney’s chance to turn on the gas with her superstar mare, Boheme de la Roque. They gave it their all to shave just a fraction of a second off of Leahy’s time to claim victory in 39.20 seconds. Leahy finished in second, and Derwin rounded out the top three.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.