Wellington, Fla. – January 30, 2026—Jennifer Hannan of Wakefield, RI, piloted Stephanie Bulger’s Cellestino to win the $25,000 USHJA International Hunt & Go Derby, presented by LeMieux, on a final score of 188 during Week 4 of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The week’s featured event for hunters showcased the discipline in the International Arena at Wellington International on Friday afternoon.
Jennifer Hannan & Cellestino. Photo ©Sportfot
“I’ve only had him for about a year now, and everything we’ve ever asked him to do, he steps up,” said Hannan, of the 11-year-old son of Cornet Obolensky that carried her to runner-up in the 2025 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship over the summer. “He’s super brave, careful, very athletic and he has a massive stride. He’s everything you could ask for in a hunter.”
With identical handy scores from the top three finishers, Hannan and Cellestino impressed judges Bobbie Reber (Aiken, SC) and Liza Dennehy (Denver, CO) in the classic portion of the single-round “hunt and go” course designed by Andy Christiansen. With a score of 92 in the classic and a 96 in the handy, the pair claimed their victory by a single point over runner-up Laena Romond of Brookefield, CT.
Jennifer Hannan & Cellestino, pictured with owner Stephanie Bulger (center), are presented as winners of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunt & Go Derby, presented by LeMieux. Cellestino also earned the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter Style Award for WEF 4, presented by Laura Fetterman (far left). Photo ©Sportfot
“We were able to show off quite a bit,” stated Hannan of Cellestino’s stand-out performance during the classic round. “The first round gave us a lot of opportunity to gallop, and this horse in particular really shows a good gallop.”
With less than two points separating the podium finishers, Romond took second with Oslo, a 12-year-old Belgian-bred gelding by Vagabond de la Pomme, on a total score of 187 for owner Lexi Maounis. Romond also collected the third-place ribbon riding Maggie Ezring’s up-and-coming 7-year-old Fellow Z. The For Pleasure gelding posted a total score of 185.75.
Laena Romond & Oslo. Photo ©Sportfot
Laena Romond & Fellow Z. Photo ©Sportfot
“We started him here [at WEF] last year in the 3’6” Performance Hunters and spent time figuring out what was best for him,” said Hannan of the gelding purchased at Harrisburg in 2024. “We went right out and did a national derby on the grass, and he went nicely. Naturally, he stepped into the international derbies and had a wonderful summer last year.”
Of the opportunity to compete in the atmospheric International Arena at Wellington International, Hannan said, “This ring holds a lot of history, and this show certainly has done a great job of promoting hunters. To be able to go out there and show at a gallop with that bigger space, that’s what’s important and special about it.”
Cellestino’s list of achievements is impressive, but Hannan believes his desire to win sets him apart. “He thinks pretty highly of himself,” she laughed. “He has an amazing brain and really wants to win—the bigger the venue, the better.”
Watch The Winning Round
Next on Hannan and Cellestino’s radar is World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week during WEF 6, when they hope to return to the International Arena under lights for the Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.
In addition to Friday’s win, Cellestino earned the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter Style Award for WEF 4, presented by sponsor Laura Fetterman.
For full results from the $25,000 USHJA International Hunt & Go Derby, presented by LeMieux, click HERE.
