June I Recap
Wellington, Fla. – June 1, 2026—The 2026 Wellington International Annual Series christened June competition with a victory for Israeli Olympian Ashlee Bond on Sunday in the $24,999 LeMieux Grand Prix riding Comme Ci Comme Ca for owner Agrippina Farms.
Ashlee Bond & Comme Ci Comme Ca, winners of the $24,999 LeMieux Grand Prix. Photo ©Wellington International/Cassidy Klein
The Annual Series’ June season runs for two weeks, featuring hunter, jumper and equitation competition at Wellington International, home of the famed Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Learn more about the Annual Series HERE.
Bond took over the reins on Comme Ci Comme Ca, a nine-year-old Irish-bred mare (Comme Il Faut 5 X Diarado), at the start of the year, and they wasted no time getting to know each other. During WEF, the pair pocketed three top 10 international finishes.
Ashlee Bond & Comme Ci Comme Ca. Photo ©Wellington International/Cassidy Klein
“We are at a really good place with—we call her Cici—and after the success we had in the beginning, she has changed a lot in a good way,” said Bond, who took her time getting to know the mare. “I had to learn to ride her the way she wants to be ridden—she’s sensitive but wants a consistent connection. It’s been a good learning experience, and I’m excited about where it’s going to go.”
After a move from the West Coast a few seasons ago, Bond now calls Wellington home and is utilizing the 2026 Annual Series to introduce several future stars of the jumper ring.
“I love being able to be home and show in my backyard during the spring and early summer,” said Bond. “It’s nice not to have to travel yet. This is good preparation on great footing in a nice atmosphere. The horses benefit from all of it.”
Sunday’s win came in a jump-off time of 35.081 seconds for Bond over course designer Andy Christiansen’s tracks. Seven advanced to the tie-breaking round, with Andrea Torres of Wellington, Fla., finishing second on a time of 37.387 seconds riding her own Picara Polka Amouretta. Pablo Barrios, also calling Wellington home, rounded out the top three in 37.790 seconds in the irons of his own Don d’Alme C Z.
For complete results of the $24,999 LeMieux Grand Prix, click HERE.
Hunters returned to the derby field during June I for the $2,700 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Parlanti, won by Marcus Au of Boca Raton, Fla., riding 9-year-old Storm Cat, owned by Catomine Farm.
Marcus Au & Storm Cat are joined by Claudia Ortiz to be honored as winners of the $2,700 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented Parlanti. Photo ©Wellington International/Grace Klement
In a popular hunt & go format, Au rode his Zangersheide gelding, sired by Comilfo Plus Z, to a top score of 170 from judges R. Scott Fitton and Jennifer Darst.
“Right now, we are focused on getting miles,” said Au of the up-and-coming Storm Cat. “We’ve been introducing him to going to new places and getting in the ring everywhere. The end goal is for him to be a big derby horse.’
Storm Cat is well on the way to accomplishing that goal with the Wellington win. “Hopefully, we will start to do international derbies next,” continued Au. “We love the Annual Series for all our horses, especially the green ones that get to go on the field. It’s great that they get to see everything they’ll see later in their careers.”
Marcus Au & Storm Cat. Photo ©Wellington International/Grace Klement
A single point separated second and third, with Hailey Royce of Wellington, Fla. finishing as the runner-up aboard GFS Mikado, owned by Sargent Stables, on a score of 161. Emery Everhart of Midland, Texas, settled for third with a final score of 160 riding Quathageno owned by Dalton Equestrian.
For complete results of the $2,700 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Parlanti, click HERE.
June I Winners
Juan Carlos Arriaga Radilla & Jhonny Cash, winners of the $5,000 1.35m Open Jumper Classic, presented by Omega Alpha. Photo ©Wellington International/Cassidy Klein
Jennifer Prior & Le Chat Noir are joined by Susie Wong (far left) as winners of the $1,000 USHJA 2’6” Jr/Am Hunt & Go Derby, presented by ProElite. Photo ©Wellington International/Cassidy Klein
Cormac Hanley & Santiago VH Netehof are presented as winners of the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m. Photo ©Wellington International/Cassidy Klein
To view complete results from June I, click HERE. For champion and reserve titles, click HERE.
Equitation Day Winnr’s Corner
M&S Children’s Medal
Mila Kruk & Gauguin d’Avillon
Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3′ Medal
Evelyn Byron & Milburn Monti Casino
USHJA 3’3″ Hunter Seat Medal
Willow Saulsberry & King Conan
M&S USEF Pony Medal
Kate Marisch & Halo
USHJA Jumping Seat Medal 3’3″
Sophie Heap & Choco du Reverdy
THIS Children’s Medal
Hailey Holmberg & Doreen MH
Open Adult Equitation
Iliana Palumbo & Irish Coffee VHL
Ariat Adult Medal
Iliana Palumbo & Irish Coffee VHL
ASPCA Maclay
Lainey Posa & Range Rover
WIHS Jumper Phase
Carsyn Korotkin & Indigo van de Muggenhoek
USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal
Siena Zorrilla & Monaco Optimus
Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search 1*
Carsyn Korotkin & Indigo van de Muggenhoek
To view complete results from June 1 Equitation Day, click HERE.
Visit WellingtonInternational.com to view results, schedules and streaming schedules for the Wellington International Annual Series.
