Featured competition was pint-sized as pony hunters took to the grass derby field at Equestrian Village on Friday of Week 9 at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Emi Richard of Middlefield, CT, won the $5,000 USHJA Pony Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™.
Sixty-two small, medium and large ponies took to the field, competing at their respective heights over a course designed by Andy Christiansen (ECU). The class, held in traditional hunter derby format, consisted of a first round course, giving riders their ‘Classic’ round score and was followed by the Handy round where the top 12 riders returned to test and secure their final placings.
Richard and Knight and Day, owned by Lakeview, Inc., competed in the large section and returned last after scoring an 86 to set the standard in the opening round.
“Tommy [as Knight and Day is known in the barn] is only seven-years-old, so he’s a green pony this year and he’s been absolutely great,” said Richard. “His jump and canter is amazing and always makes my ride with him so fun.”
After returning in reverse order of standing for the hand, Richard earned an 85.5 for a total score of 171.5 to secure the blue.
“It’s definitely a different environment on the field,” said Richard. “It’s so different for us pony riders who spend most of our season on pony island; it’s really nice.”
Only three months into their partnership, Richard and Knight and Day have hit their stride with top placings across the large pony and large green pony hunters, including claiming Large Green Pony Hunter Reserve Champion during WEF 7.
Taking home the red ribbon was Kenzie Smith of Shoreham, NY, and Blue Tie Affair, owned by First Blue LLC. Smith and her small pony mount earned scores of 82.5 and 87 for a second place on a total of 169.5. Closing out the pony podium was Carsyn Korotkin of Wellington, FL, and Pepsi, owned by Lily Epstein. The pair claimed third with scores of 82.75 and 85 for a total of 167.75.
As ribbons were passed and pictures were taken, pony riders high fived all around and cheered each other on. “It’s so much fun to compete with your friends,” said Richard, “It’s like everyone is supporting each other and wants everyone to do well. It’s really nice to have here.”
Hunter action will continue on the derby field in Saturday’s $25,000 USHJA International Derby, presented by Bainbridge Companies, starting at 9 a.m. For the start list, please click HERE.
Ribery Tops Lövsta Future Challenge 7-Year-Old Young Jumpers with Luis Fernando Larrazabal
Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) made a final winning bid on Friday for the $25,000 Lövsta Future Challenge 7-Year-Old Developing Jumper Series Final taking place during WEF 10. He piloted Ribery, owned by Sabrina Lefebvre, to the top of the final qualifier and earned champion tri-color honors for the week.
The Lövsta Future Challenge is a well-established Swedish concept for talent development aimed at young grand prix horses and U25 riders in both dressage and jumping. The vision of the development tour is to provide the best possible conditions to strive for the highest level of international show jumping. The 2024 Lövsta Future Challenge 7-Year-Old Developing Jumper Series Final will take place in the International Arena on March 15.
Larrazabal punched his ticket to the final on the Belgian-bred Aganiz du Siegneur daughter that Lefebvre purchased at the Youhorse Auction in 2021. With Diamant de Semilly on the dam’s side, Ribery is showing the success of her breeding even at a young age.
“Sabrina bought her when she was four years old, just broke and had maybe only a couple of jumps under the saddle,” said Larrazabal. “Everybody who buys a young horse dreams to have an amazing horse one day, and she got lucky. This mare is incredible; in the ring at home, she always tries 150%.
“I only saw videos from the auction, but she was a powerhouse over the jumps,” continued Larrazabal who is eager to point Ribery at the WEF 10 final. “[This series] gives us a lot of encouragement and enthusiasm to keep developing young horses in the states. Several years ago, it was not that fun to have young horses here; it was expensive and there wasn’t a lot of reward. We live here [in Wellington] and we do this sport here, so it is very nice to have this type of championship here. She's going to be one to watch in the final.”
U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Mclain Ward rode his own Laurina to second, and Steven Bluman (ISR) finished third on Magic Mike Z.G. for owner Daniel Bluman.
Other highlights in young jumper competition on Friday included the final classes of the week for five and six-year-olds. In the Manestream 5-Year-Old Young Jumpers, Charlie Jayne (USA) and Dulf van den Bisschop homebred Liberty, owned by Kaneb Equine Ventures, LLC, took the win. In the North Star 6-Year-Old Young Jumpers, Chris Ewanouski’s (USA) Coronado gelding Skavhøjs Cohen took top honors for owner Castle Point Farm.
In the international ranks, Great Britain's Harry Charles made his way to Wellington this week and took a win aboard his FEI Nations Cup™ Final mount Aralyn Blue in the $62,500 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* 1.50m for owners Ann Thompson and Peter Charles. The 12-year-old Oldenburg mare topped the speed class over U.S. Olympian Jessica Springsteen and Naomi van het Keizershof, owned by Stone Hill Farm. Ireland’s Michael Duffy rounded out the podium riding RMF Cinnamo for owner Rushy Marsh Farm.
To cap the day, Luis Fernando Larrazabal took another win for Venezuela with top call in the $10,000 Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2* 1.45m Speed riding Belle de Muze for owner Driss Ngadi.
International competition comes to a peak on Saturday with the $62,500 Helgstrand Jewellery CSI2* Grand Prix in the afternoon and the $385,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix during ‘Saturday Night Lights’.
