Wellington, Fla. – November 3, 2026—There’s nothing “so-so” about Ashlee Bond’s Comme Ci Comme Ca, and she proved it once again by winning Sunday’s $24,999 ProElite Grand Prix as the Wellington International Annual Series returned to its main showgrounds, home of the famed Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).
Ashlee Bond & Comme Ci Comme Ca are presented as winners of the $24,999 ProElite Grand Prix. Photo © Sportfot
The Annual Series at Wellington International runs through December, featuring hunter, jumper and equitation competition ahead of the 50th anniversary season of WEF, launching on January 6. Learn more about the Annual Series HERE.
From a starting field of 31 horses, Bond—an Israeli Olympian originally hailing from California who now calls Wellington home—bested 12 other challengers who advanced to course designer Andy Christiansen’s jump-off. Comme Ci Comme Ca, a nine-year-old Irish-bred mare (Comme Il Faut 5 X Diarado) owned by Agrippina Farms, stopped the final timers nearly a full second ahead of the runner-up in 35.735 seconds.
“We have been jumping on grass at the field all summer, and she felt even better in here today,” said Bond of the mare that is just shy of ten marks in her win column during the 2026 Wellington International Annual Series. She bookended the week with an opening day win on Comme Ci Comme Ca in Friday’s $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake. “I felt like she could go faster in here, make tighter turns, slicker slices, so it worked to my advantage.”
Ashlee Bond & Comme Ci Comme Ca on Friday. Photo © Sportfot
Ashlee Bond & Comme Ci Comme Ca are presented as winners of the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake. Photo © Sportfot
Bond took over the ride on Comme Ci Comme Ca in February and campaigned up to the five-star level. The mare was previously ridden by U.S. rider Savannah Jenkins. “We stepped back down to take our time establishing trust,” said Bond. “The mare is so careful and game with so much heart, but she can get a little nervous, and it took her a minute to get to know and trust me. Now, the consistency doesn’t surprise me.
“She is one of the most careful and fastest horses I’ve ever ridden,” continued Bond, who is known for piloting the type. “She’s a machine at a 1.45m, and she is still young, so my goal is to continue this consistency over the winter.”
Spain’s Juan Manuel Gallego rode Bamaka des Sequoias Z to second in 36.781 seconds for owner El Milagro, while Tanimara Maria Macari Carrillo (MEX) debuted a new mount, Tuuls, and finished third in 37.417 seconds for owner Eickendorf Horses Gmbh & Co. Kg.
For complete results of the $24,999 ProElite Grand Prix, click HERE.
Hunters returned to the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Stadium last week with Kelsey Duffy of West Palm Beach, Fla., winning the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Pilates Rocks, riding Westport, owned by Doris Leventhal, on a final score of 164. Find final results HERE.
Kelsey Duffy & Westport. Photo © Sportfot
Kelsey Duffy & Westport are honored as winners of the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Pilates Rocks. Photo © Sportfot
Also highlighting jumper action, Nirvana Hank of Coronado, Calif., won the $5,000 1.35m Stake, presented by Elite Horse Transport, by topping a 15-horse jump-off riding her own Manna Hacal. Find final results HERE.
Nirvana Hank & Manna Hacal are honored as winners of the $5,000 1.35m Stake, presented by Elite Horse Transport. Photo © Sportfot
Taylor Finkle was the one to beat in the junior/amateur ranks, winning the Arthramid by Contura Vet 1.30m Jr/Am Jumper Classic aboard her own A Golden Girl Sh Z. Find final results HERE.
Taylor Finkle & A Golden Girl Sh Z, winners of the Arthramid by Contura Vet 1.30m Jr/Am Jumper Classic. Photo © Sportfot
To view complete results from Fall III, click HERE. For champion and reserve titles, click HERE. Visit WellingtonInternational.com to view results, schedules and streaming schedules for the Wellington International Annual Series.
