Ashlee Bond (ISR) made a plan for the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) to have her top mount Donatello 141 peak just in time for the Rolex Grand Prix. That plan is on track after a WEF 7 victory in the $116,100 Adequan® CSI5* WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 on Thursday during the Lugano-sponsored week.
Ahead of the Lugano CSI5* Grand Prix—now offering $500,000 in prize money—on Saturday night, Bond feels “Donnie” is in great shape to continue to jump clear and quick rounds after two months away from the competition ring.
“He is such a fighter and is feeling really good,” Bond said of the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding (Diarado x Lamoureux I). “He came back for the jump-off feeling even stronger than in the first round. We’re on the right track now and hopefully Saturday he’ll come out feeling 100% fit and ready.”
Ten of the top-12 placed riders were Olympians, showing the strength of the field at WEF this season. Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) set the track for 45 entries with 18 securing a jump-off spot.
Bond knew the pace would be incredibly quick come jump-off time, but she didn’t think about it until it was game time. Up against some of the best in the world, she surprised even herself when she ended up on top.
“I try not to learn the jump-off until I’m in the jump-off because I do what I feel with him,” Bond said about her approach with Donnie. “I went out and did my thing and I was fortunate that Kent [Farrington] had a rail because he was so fast. I didn’t think I was going to win; Kent was 33 seconds and I was 35. This was a pleasant surprise. We know each other so well so I do what I feel in the moment and not take everything out before [the grand prix on] Saturday.”
With Bond on top in a time of 35.20 seconds, Ben Maher (GBR) was the next quickest clear in 36.20 seconds for second place aboard Enjeu de Grisien, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright. Lorenzo De Luca (ITA) claimed third place aboard Denver de Talma, owned by Louisburg Farm, in a time of 36.91 seconds.
There are many benefits of knowing your horse as well as Bond knows Donnie. The duo dates back to 2018 when they debuted at the FEI level, and Bond plans their schedule meticulously.
“I’ve learned that if I give him too much of a break it takes me a long time to get him back into shape,” she explained, having given the horse most of December and January off from showing. “I didn’t continue jumping him but I did keep him in full work. He needs four or five of these bigger classes to get his physicality back. I’m hoping he’ll be perfectly peaked for the Rolex [Grand Prix].”
Donnie’s holiday vacation consisted of ample turnout time, plus some added love and prep rides from Bond’s daughter, Scottie. “Scottie gives him turnout rides where she sits on him bareback with no halter or anything and he walks around. She sits on him in his stall for hours on end,” noted Bond.
As for Bond’s own training rides to prepare for WEF, she said, “It’s a lot of flatting and the treadmill twice a day,” she continued. “He pops over small jumps once or twice a week. As the season was coming, I increased the work and did a lot of trot sets with him, which comes from my polo friends. [Two days before] I’ll do sprint work to get his lungs opened up. Yesterday, I did power walking to get him to stretch.”
With her partner back in great shape and still three five-star weeks to look forward to at WEF, Bond is feeling confident and proud.
“It feels amazing during a five-star week with the quality of riders we have here,” she said of the win Thursday. “At this point in my career I’ve won enough to know I belong here but it’s still very validating for your program and your team and your horse. It validates that we know what we’re doing and to keep at it. This sport is so difficult and there are so many ups and downs. I’m excited for Saturday and the rest of the season.”
To see full results from the $116,100 Adequan® CSI5* WEF Challenge Cup Round 7, click HERE.
