Morrissey, Stavola and Rossano Find Derby Victories
Wellington, Fla. – April 4, 2026—The Wellington International Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, launched this week with a benefit show for the A-T Children’s Project. The USA’s Lillie Keenan closed the curtain on spring’s opening week by winning the $35,000 Postage Stamp Farm National Grand Prix riding Electrique for owner 5 Roosters.
Lillie Keenan & Electrique. Photo ©Sportfot
The Spring Series spans five weeks and runs through May 10, featuring hunter, jumper and equitation competition at Wellington International, home of the famed Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Learn more about the Spring Series HERE.
Ana Catalina “Catsy” Cruz Harris (MEX) set the tracks for the week’s highlight event, which saw ten horses advance to a tie-breaking jump-off from a starting field of 45. After winning the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies Open Stake earlier in the week, Laura Chapot (USA) sat handily in the lead for most of the round on a time of 39.459 seconds. She rode C&C Willow, an 11-year-old Irish-bred mare by Emerald out of a thoroughbred mare (Cortynan Loughahoe Girl).
Laura Chapot & C&C Willow. Photo ©Sportfot
Keenan returned as the penultimate challenger to take the win in 35.855 seconds with Electrique, a 12-year-old Zangersheide mare also by the stallion Emerald out of a Voltaire mare. Keenan was also third aboard 5 Roosters’ Anton (39.485 seconds), an 11-year-old Zangersheide stallion (Arko III x Quintero Z).
Lillie Keenan & Anton. Photo ©Sportfot
Keenan is piloting Electrique for her student and the horse’s owner, Isabel Coxe. “I show her in order to give Izzy the best instruction I can—I competed Electrique during Premiere Week of WEF, and it set us up well for them to be able to grow a lot in the season. That recipe seems to work for our system,” said Keenan of the mare that has already competed up to the five-star level. “The priority is that they develop a relationship and a bond, and see how far they can go together, but the horse is exceptional.”
Watch The Winning Round
Keenan said Coxe and Electrique will next compete during the CSI3* of Spring II.
Keenan will now focus on her outing for Team USA at the FEI World Cup™ Finals next week in Fort Worth, Texas. “Having two horses in the jump-off was actually good practice for next week—being able to practice going full speed is good for your riding. I think it was an advantage for me to do this today before I go to Texas.”
Lillie Keenan & Electrique are presented as winners of the $35,000 Postage Stamp Farm National Grand Prix by Jennifer Thornton, Executive Director of the A-T Children’s Project (left) and Annabelle Garrett (right). Photo ©Sportfot
For complete results of the $35,000 Postage Stamp Farm National Grand Prix, click HERE.
Always popular hunt & go derbies returned to the Spring Series schedule with offerings for professional, junior/amateur and pony riders. Tiffany Morrissey of Wellington, Fla., continued a string of derby wins during the winter season with another victory, this time aboard Pacific City, owned by Jessie Minton, in the $10,000 USHJA Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Nutrena. They combined scores of 88.5 and 87.5 for a 176 from judges Jenny Fischer and Robin Sinderman to win by two points over runner-up and fellow Wellington native Jennifer Bliss on Robert Anthony’s Callway.
Tiffany Morrissey & Pacific City. Photo ©Sportfot
Tiffany Morrissey & Pacific City are joined by Susie Wong to be honored as winners of the $10,000 USHJA Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Nutrena. Photo ©Sportfot
In pony action, Lucca Rossano of Wellington, Fla., pocketed a 176 riding Reidell Day Dream for owner Adeline Rossetter. In the junior/amateur ranks, Mia Stavola of Atlantic Highlands, N.J., and her own Leading Lady to a derby win on a score of 172 from judge Jaffrey Ayers. Under the direction of trainer Kate Murphy, they lead by six points over the closest challenger.
Lucca Rossano & Reidell Day Dream. Photo ©Sportfot
Lucca Rossano & Reidell Day Dream are honored as winners of the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Spring Hollow. Photo ©Sportfot
Mia Stavola & Leading Lady are presented as winners of the USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunt & Go Derby. Photo ©Sportfot
Saturday action in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring was highlighted by the presentation of Amateur-Owner and Junior Hunter Champions for Spring 1.
SFHJA 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35
Grace Carucci & Mr. Right
Grace Carucci & Mr. Right, champions of the SFHJA 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunter 18-35 division. Photo ©Sportfot
Hemp Bedding 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+
Allyson Hall & Customized
Allyson Hall & Customized, champions of the Hemp Bedding 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunter 36+ division. Photo ©Sportfot
Whipstick Farm & Hemp Bedding 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunter
Caroline Kellogg & Minturn Mile
Two Goals, Katherine Newman, LLC & Stephanie Schwed 3’3″ Junior Hunter
Sawyer Bruce & Costa Nostra
Sawyer Bruce & Costa Nostra, champions of the 3’3″ Junior Hunters, sponsored by Two Goals, Katherine Newman, LLC & Stephanie Schwed. Photo ©Sportot
Burtons, Artemis & Stephanie Schwed 3’6″ Junior Hunter
Faith Schuttemeyer & Uncandance du Vlist Z
Faith Schuttemeyer & Uncandance du Vlist Z, champions of the 3’6″ Junior Hunters, sponsored by Burtons, Artemis & Stephanie Schwed. Photo ©Sportfot
To view complete results from Spring 1, click HERE. For champion and reserve titles, click HERE.
Visit WellingtonInternational.com to view results, schedules and streaming schedules for the Wellington International Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment.
