The ESP Year End Awards brought a successful and enjoyable blend of community celebration and friendly competition to Wellington International. The week began on Thursday with schooling opportunities for riders to prepare for the upcoming classes, followed that evening by the annual ESP/SFHJA Awards Banquet in the International Club. The banquet honors riders, trainers, and owners for their accomplishments throughout the ESP and SFHJA circuits, celebrating dedication, improvement, and sportsmanship within the local equestrian community. The event serves as a meaningful gathering that highlights the hard work behind each achievement.
© Sierra Buerkley Photography
Friday’s feature event, the $10,000 1.40m Open Stake sponsored by Bainbridge Companies, brought energy to the International Arena. Mexico’s Simon Nizri claimed the win aboard his own Balouton PS, producing a smooth first-round effort in 71.926 seconds before securing victory in the jump-off with a time of 37.979 seconds. Kevin Gallagher (IRL) and Ballerina-Hoem, owned by Marigot Bay Farm LLC, finished just behind with a jump-off time of 37.989 seconds, earning second. Fernando Parroquin Delfin (MEX) and Cadete SDN, owned by Javier Alfonso Vidaña Carranza, rounded out the podium with a time of 38.317 seconds.
Simon Nizri & “Balouton PS” presented as winners of the $10,000 1.40m Open Stake sponsored by Bainbridge Companies © Wellington International // Cassidy Klein
The hunter ring saw strong performances in the $1,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go), presented by Elite Horse Transport. Lexy Reed (USA) delivered a standout sweep of the top two placings, taking the win aboard All I Want, owned by Counting Strides LLC, with a score of 175, and securing second place with Statement on a score of 174. Laura Bowery (USA) and Caberneigh, owned by Kelsey Calabro, completed the top three with a polished score of 172.
Lexy Reed & “All I Want” presented as winners of the $1,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Elite Horse Transport © Wellington International // Grace Klement
Friday evening featured Schooling Under the Lights, creating a relaxed yet purposeful atmosphere for riders and horses alike. The 1.30–1.35m height was offered from 6:00–7:30 PM, with 1.35–1.40m following from 7:45–8:45 PM. Many competitors used the opportunity to familiarize their horses with the environment and prepare for upcoming classes.
Schooling Under the Lights © Wellington International // Cassidy Klein
Saturday morning welcomed a layer of fog over the showgrounds as riders prepared for the $5,000 1.35m Open Stake, sponsored by Flagler Insurance. Sydney Schulman Desiderio (ISR) dominated the class, earning both first and third place. She claimed the win aboard Eyepop Semilly, owned by Capri Truesdale, with a jump-off time of 37.259 seconds, and later secured third with Villamoura, owned by Jill Shulman, in 38.42 seconds. Peter Lutz (USA) and Messi X, owned by Libertas Farm LLC, delivered a smooth performance to take second place.
Sydney Schulman Desiderio & “Eyepop Semilly” presented as winners of the $5,000 1.35m Open Stake, sponsored by Flagler Insurance. © Wellington International // Cassidy Klein
The highlight hunter class on Saturday was the $1,000 2’6″/2’9″ Hunter Derby (Hunt-N-Go), presented by Score at the Top. Hugh Mutch (USA) and Danash’s Northern Tempest, owned by Palm Beach Sport Horses LLC, earned the blue ribbon with scores of 88 and 90 for a combined 178. Alyce Rosenberg (USA) and Kravitz E followed with consistent 86 scores to finish on 172, while Celia Sutherland (USA) and MTM Page 6, owned by Runaway Holdings, LLC, rounded out the top three with a total of 166.
Hugh Mutch & “Danash’s Northern Tempest” presented as winners of the $1,000 2’6″/2’9″ Hunter Derby, presented by Score at the Top © Sportfot
Smooth Strategy Secures Parroquin Delfin the Win in the $25,000 National Grand Prix
Sunday’s $25,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission National Grand Prix featured a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio, consisting of 13 obstacles and 16 efforts. The track offered a clear and fair test for the field, encouraging riders to focus on accuracy and smooth execution as they navigated the final highlight class of the week.
Emerging at the top of the leaderboard was Fernando Parroquin Delfin (MEX) aboard Cadete SDN, owned by Javier Alfonso Vidaña Carranza. The pair delivered a composed and efficient jump-off round, securing the win with a time of 39.635 seconds. Their performance demonstrated smooth execution and strategic riding that ultimately kept them ahead of the field.
Fernando Parroquin Delfin & “Cadete SDN” presented as winners of the $25,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission National Grand Prix © Wellington International // Cassidy Klein
Pablo Mejía Villa (COL) and Lontender, a mount he owns with Newsprint Farm, claimed second place with a well-measured jump-off trip in 41.041 seconds. The pair’s consistency and quick pace secured them a strong placing among the day’s competitive lineup.
Pablo Mejîa Villa & “Lontender” in the $25,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission National Grand Prix © Wellington International // Cassidy Klein
Rounding out the podium was Kent Farrington (USA) aboard Diakatisa, owned by Kent Farrington LLC. Farrington showcased his trademark precision, guiding the mare to a clear round in 41.351 seconds to take third. Their faultless effort added further depth to an already exciting finale.
Kent Farrington & “Diakatisa” in the $25,000 Palm Beach County Sports Commission National Grand Prix © Wellington International // Cassidy Klein
With a successful ESP Year End Awards week now in the books, preparations shift toward ESP Holiday II next week. Energy is already building around the venue as we move into the final stretch before the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) – now just under four weeks away.
