Emilie Conter Shatters Competition in Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix

Emilie Conter, Harry Charles, and Henrik von Eckermann atop the podium with Wellington International CEO Murray Kessler (left) and Richard and Jennifer Schechter (right). Photo ©Sportfot

In a finish befitting of International Women’s Day, Belgium’s Emilie Conter stormed to a win in the $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix during Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) ‘Saturday Night Lights’ on March 8.

In the irons of Portobella van de Fruitkorf, Conter bested a seven-horse jump-off over the Alan Wade (IRL) built course. From a field that included six of the world’s top ten ranked riders, the 24-year-old claimed the first five-star victory of her career.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet; I’m super happy with my horse and my team for making this happen,” said a beaming Conter at the evening’s press conference. “I saw a really long [distance] to the last oxer and I heard Helena [Stormanns] scream ‘go get it!’, so I took it. I didn’t think it was going to be enough to beat these other riders, but I looked up and saw that I was in first.”

Stopping the clock a second off the winning pace, Olympic team gold medalist Harry Charles (GBR) settled for runner-up aboard Sherlock, a 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Bisquet Balou C x Malito de Reve) owned by Peter Charles & Stall Zet. World no. 1 and reigning FEI World Cup™ Champion Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) took third on his Olympic partner King Edward, a 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Edward 28 x FEO) owned by Dufour Stables AG.

Conter has had the ride on Portobella van de Fruitkorf (Bamako de Muze x Nabab De Reve) — a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood — since the mare was seven.

“We’ve come a long way,” she said about the mare owned by Stephex Stables and Paul Swinnen. “We took it very slow in the beginning because I always knew she was special. There are no words for her. When I first started riding her, she was a bit colder but always had massive scope. When she was younger, she was not so impressed with the small jumps, but now, the bigger the fences, the better she jumps.”

Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z Claim Baxter Miami CSI2* Grand Prix

A fitting result for International Women’s Day, the $62,500 Baxter Miami CSI2* Grand Prix produced an all-female podium on Saturday afternoon of Week 9 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Texas native Jacqueline Ruyle (USA) took top call riding Cyramo Z, while Abigail McArdle (USA) finished second with Olympia van het Eikenhof, owned by Sweetwater Jumpers LLC, and Maria Costa (USA) was third riding Valentino V Z.

Ruyle was one of 13 to jump Alan Wade’s (IRL) first-round course clear, and knew the short course would be the perfect track for the petite mare she has ridden for the last seven years.

“I loved the jump-off,” Ruyle remarked after her win, which she captured by a margin of nearly two seconds. “I thought it was perfect for her because I don’t have the biggest stride but there were a lot of unrelated distances, so I knew that if I didn’t mess it up I could definitely win the class.”

Liza Towell Boyd and Ondine d’Orleans Continue Win Streak in $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Only three weeks after their memorable win in the $150,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular under the lights on the International Arena, Liza Towell Boyd and Ondine d’Orleans were back in action, this time on the grad derby field at Wellington International. The pair jumped to the win Saturday in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Bainbridge Companies.

Among a very competitive field of international derby contenders, Boyd had two rides in the hunt-and-go format, taking on a course designed by Ken Smith. Still building up the partnership with Ondine d’Orleans, owned by Finally Farm and Neill Sites, Boyd ultimately closed the day on a one-two finish.

“This is her first time on this grass field,” Boyd, who resides in Camden, SC, said of Ondine. “I wasn’t too worried. She flatted great this morning. The footing is amazing for this late in the circuit.”

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