Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) had a great day Sunday to wrap up his time in Wellington, winning the $200,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix, presented by JTWG, Inc., aboard Fellow van't Moerven during Nations Cup Week at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Highlighted by 12 weeks of international competition, WEF runs through March 30 in Wellington, FL.
Parada and David Bustillos’ 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (VDL Zirocco Blue x Farmer) were the sole double-clear effort over Nick Granat and Steve Stephens’ (USA) courses. One of four to jump clear over the first track, Parada showed that a clear round was attainable, but he didn’t leave anything to chance come jump-off time.
“My plan is always the same: go as fast as I can,” Parada joked, especially considering he was second of four to jump, so he wasn’t sure how much it would take to win. “Since I know [Fellow] is a big horse with a big stride, I tried to do one less in every line.”
Both of the final riders were indeed faster, but each one brought one rail down, finishing on fast 4-fault scores. Mark Bluman (COL) captured the second-place position aboard S&L Maracana', owned by S & L Farms, and Charlie Jones (GBR) was third with Capitale 6, owned by Morning Star Sporthorses.
It was luck that brought Fellow van’t Moerven into Parada’s string. Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, Parada works closely with Bustillos in California, splitting his time between top shows in his home country and top shows in the United States.
“This horse came through [Bustillos’ program] and I thought, ‘Yeah I’ll ride it,’” he shared. “It came out of nowhere and it was with an amateur rider. She sent the horse to [Bustillos] and we figured we’d try it.”
There were two reasons the horse stood out: “A: he was available,” Parada continued. “B: it has a lot of strength, it’s really brave, and really straightforward. I like those kinds of horses.”
The pieces fell into place quickly, and a win at the four-star level proves this pair—only matched together last fall—do suit one another. “[The horse] responds well every time a question is asked,” he went on about the horse’s way of going. “We understood each other really quickly and even though he’s not the fastest horse, he’s responding well to one stride less or a quick turn.”
The week was already a good one for Parada, who jumped for Mexico in Saturday night’s CSIO4* Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, on the same horse. But the result Sunday pushed it into truly special territory.
“Winning any grand prix is really nice, but this is especially nice but this is great because it’s a top start list of riders,” he remarked about his win. “The course was not built to be an easy win, and giving a win to Mexico outside of Mexico is always really special so I’m really emotional.”
Among other winners were Lillie Keenan (USA), who was honored as the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider for her brilliant performances across international classes for the week. Cian O’Connor was awarded the Niall Grimes “Cheers” Perpetual Trophy as the top money-earning Irish competitor during CSIO week at WEF.
Parada's grooms, Edgar Ramiro Minero and Gerson Ramos, were presented with the $500 Double H Farm Grooms Award after the win in recognition of their care of Fellow van't Moerven.
See full results from the $200,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix, Presented by JTWG, Inc., HERE.
Jennifer Padovani and Moreno ES Command Don Little Masters, Presented by Rushy Marsh Farm
Young horses with amateur riders is not a common combination but one that Jennifer Padovani and Moreno ES are making work in winning fashion. The pair jumped to a WEF 8 championship in the Don Little Masters, presented by Rushy March Farm, in the International Area on Sunday. Padovani and Moreno put in nothing but clear rounds all weekend, carrying them to the overall top position.
Moreno came into Padovani’s life at just the right time. Her 18-year-old horse was ready to step down, and her trainer Christian Coyle found a grey gelding at auction shortly before and was successfully developing him as a 7-year-old with another client, Helen Litt. Young professional Helen Graves—who is also a rider at Christian Coyle Show Stables based out of Sherman, CT—spent time campaigning the horse and helping Coyle bring the talent along.
“He was the last horse to come out the night of the auction and was a fairly green 7-year-old,” recalled Padovani, who hails from Greenwich, CT. “He’s a smaller build but he has a tremendous stride and a lot of scope. When I knew it was time for my horse to retire, I asked Christian if I could try Moreno to see if we’d be a good fit.”
Padovani knew right away Moreno was the one for her. “It was one of those trials where you’re like, ‘Okay, this horse is made for me,’” she shared. “It’s my kind of ride and we clicked from day one.”
For a young horse—now eight this year—Moreno has proven he’s extremely consistent and smart, and Padovani loves that he does nothing but give her confidence.
“He is like a metronome; he’s got the most incredible rocking horse canter,” she said of the Dutch Warmblood gelding. “He’s careful at the jumps but has a great brain. If you make a mistake, he doesn’t care and he keeps going. It’s a combination of tremendous quality with a great brain which is super hard to find, especially with a young horse and an amateur rider.”
Still newer to the Masters division, where riders over 50 compete at 1.10m to 1.15m heights, Padovani is dedicated to making the experience as special as it can be for the talented and passionate group of riders.
“We have such a great group,” she said of her fellow Masters. “We hosted our first cocktail party last year and it’s become such great camaraderie. We’ve been doing this a long time and we’re all here to cheer each other on. We want to do other exciting formats for next year. Murray [WEF CEO] Kessler is a former Masters rider so he’s very supportive.”
As for how the rest of the season with Moreno, Padovani knows there’s more in the tank but wants to enjoy the community she’s part of. “I want to move up on him because he certainly can, but it’s bittersweet because I love this group of people,” she remarked. “That’s the wonderful thing about WEF. The Masters is a really nice way to go a little easier on your horse and then move up in the summer. I might stick with that plan because it’s nice for the horses and riding in the International Arena is amazing.”
Junior Hunters Take Championship Honors
J.J. Torano had a stellar week in the Junior Hunters, being named champion in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division with Play Boy RAA, owned by Andee Holland, and in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division with Monarchy, owned by Shadowfax Equestrian LLC & Lacey Howell.
Reserve championship honors in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division went to Katherine Mercer and Primrose, owned by Frog Pond Stables, while reserve champion in the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division was Ava Barnes and Can Can, owned by Stephanie Ring.
Brooke Hagerty was champion with Casino Cash, owned by the Hagerty Family, in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17, while Paige Walkenbach and San Pedro 15, owned by Walkenbach Equestrian, LLC, took reserve championship honors.
In the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division, Paige Walkenbach reigned, taking championship honors with Babylon and being named reserve with Princeton, both owned by Walkenbach Equestrian, LLC.
To see full results from WEF 8, click HERE.
