Wellington, Fla. – February 1, 2026—Less than three months after giving birth to her first child, Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) was back in the winner’s circle at Wellington International. With Max James Blake ringside to cheer on his mother, Derbyshire topped the $62,500 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix after also winning the qualifier on Friday. Both victories came aboard longtime partner Cornwall BH, owned together with Gochman Sport Horses.
Amanda Derbyshire & Cornwall BH. Photo ©Sportfot
The fourth week of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) featured four-star and two-star competition. Hosting 12 consecutive weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 29 in Wellington, FL.
“We waited for our son for 10 years, so that was the most special experience we’ve ever had,” and then to get back in the ring so fast is all because of my trusty partner,” said Derbyshire. “This is my 10th year with Cornwall BH. He’s the best horse I’ve ever had.”
Photo via @amandaderbyshire1988 Instagram
Despite an inside turn to the final fence that shaved fractions off others’ times, Derbyshire instead relied on Cornwall’s footspeed to get the job done. The 18-year-old German-bred gelding was just quick enough to pip runner-up Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) by less than a second.
“We’ve dropped him down a level, and he’ll stay in the two-stars probably, but he’s been a great horse for me,” continued Derbyshire of her decade-long partnership with the Cornwall BH. “He always loves the grass—he jumps so well out here on the field, and it’s one of the nicest fields there is to show on.”
Derbyshire and Cornwall BH stopped the clock at 39.01 seconds, ahead of Larrazabal’s 39.77 seconds riding 9-year-old mare Ribery for owner Sabrina Lefebvre. Belgian Olympian Nicola Philippaerts piloted Team Philippaerts’ 13-year-old Derby De Riverland to third in 39.78 seconds.
Amanda Derbyshire & Cornwall BH are joined by her son, Max, and Ian, Susan, and Georgia Griffis to be presented as winners of the $62,500 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix. Photo © Sportfot
For complete results from the $62,500 Griffis Residential CSI2* Grand Prix, click HERE.
Opening the day on the derby field, British Olympic champion Ben Maher had luck on his side when he piloted 15-year-old Ginger-Blue (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour) to win the $62,500 Hermès CSI4* 1.50m Classic for owner Jane Forbes Clark.
Ben Maher & Ginger-Blue. Photo ©Sportfot
Only six riders returned to the jump-off, where the Dutch Warmblood mare ate up the track of Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima. Stopping the clock at 36.84 seconds, Maher bumped Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) to second place with Contago, a 15-year-old Oldenburg Cornet Obolensky gelding owned by El Milagro.
Finishing third, Juan Manuel Gallego (ESP) rode Lloyd, a 10-year-old Dutch-bred gelding by Namelus R, to a time of 38.16 seconds for owner Pablo Mejia Equestrian.
“She’s amazing for us to have on the team—very competitive, and we really play to her strengths,” said Maher of the mare who has a winning record on the derby field at Equestrian Village after also taking Friday’s four-star speed victory.
Ben Maher & Ginger-Blue are presented as winners of the $62,500 Hermès 1.50m Classic. Photo ©Sportfot
“I’ve had Ginger-Blue for many years now, and we know each other extremely well,” said Maher—World No. 4—of his eight-year relationship with the mare. “I know her strengths and weaknesses, but she’s an incredible horse anywhere, to be honest. It was a good week, and hopefully the start of a good season here.”
For complete results from the $62,500 Hermès CSI4* 1.50m Classic, click HERE.
Full results from WEF 4 are available HERE.
Iliana Marchetti and Pursue Claim Vogel 15-17 Children’s Hunter Championship
The Rost Arena crowned the Vogel 15-17 Children’s Hunter champion on a chilly Sunday afternoon during week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Iliana Marchetti of Long Valley, NJ, and her own Pursue received the top tricolor.
Iliana Marchetti & Pursue, champions of the Vogel 15-17 Children’s Hunter division. Photo ©Sportfot
Partners for two years, Marchetti and the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding secured their tricolor after placing second under saddle and winning over fences with a score of 85.5.
“He’s so reliable,” said Marchetti. “His stride is so even—I can always find my distances on him—and he always gives me a fun ride.”
Outside of the hunter arena, Marchetti has stepped into the equitation for the first time in her junior career at the 2026 WEF.
“My goals for this season are to remain consistent with Percy [Pursue] and to get comfortable in the equitation ring as well,” said Marchetti. “I know it’s a long shot, but I would love to make it to some equitation finals in the fall.”
When she’s not in the saddle, Marchetti balances her time going to school at the Palm Beach International Academy based in Wellington.
The 15-17 Children’s Hunter reserve champion was awarded to Grace McMahon of Tulsa, OK, and her own New Journey.
For full results from the Vogel 15-17 Children’s Hunter division, click HERE.
