Mexican Olympian Carlos Hank Guerreiro had luck on his side when he topped a 14-horse jump-off to win the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix during the Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) ‘Saturday Night Lights’ at Wellington International. Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition, WEF continues through March 30 in Wellington, FL.
Piloting his Paris Olympic mount H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z, Guerreiro tackled Oscar Soberon’s (USA) jump-off track with unmatched speed, challenging the rest of the field to chase him down. He and the 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Picasso Z x Ogano Sitte) stopped the short-course clock at 39.98 seconds.
“I have a very fast horse in Porthos, and it was a big enough jump-off with some very fast riders behind me,” said 24-year-old Guerreiro of the H5 Sport Horses owned gelding. “I didn't want to leave it all out on the line because you still have to leave the jumps up. I wanted to take the risks I knew I could, and it paid off today.”
Giving their best effort, Marilyn Little (USA) and her own mare La Contessa (License x Cornet’s Prinz) finished less than a second off the pace in 40.55 to finish the runner up. Little was also presented with the Martha Jolicoeur, Douglas Elliman Leading Lady Rider Award for her consistent performance throughout WEF week 10.
Ireland’s 20-year-old Tom Wachman rounded out the podium in 40.61 seconds for third riding Coolmore Showjumping’s (Vigo Cece x Laeken) gelding, Do It Easy.
Winning under the lights at Wellington International is the continuation of a dream for Guerreiro and H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z. “He’s been an amazing horse since day one. I've had him since he was seven, and last year he took me to achieve my childhood dream of going to the Olympics.”
After a long break following the 2024 Games in Paris, H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z was meant to ease back into competition this week. “This was his first grand prix at WEF this season, and I wasn't expecting much since he's been on holiday,” said Guerreiro. “He surprised us all and gave everything out there.”
In front of a packed house with electric energy, Guerreiro rose to the occasion. “The atmosphere here has always been unbelievable; I've been jumping here for a few years now and these ‘Saturday Night Lights’ are very special. It's what motivates us during the week. To win one has always been a dream of mine so I'm very grateful.”
After 10 weeks of international jumping, Guerreiro concluded his WEF season with a bang on Saturday, saying, “It's a very tough place to win. If you can win here, you can win anywhere.”
Guerreiro now turns focus to his next goals, which include competing at CHIO Aachen in Germany and then hopefully returning as a member of the Mexican team at the 2026 FEI World Championships.
To cap the evening, Joy Michel was presented with the $500 Grooms Award by Double H Farm for her care and preparation of H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z for the Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix.
Top Five Results: $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix
- Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) & H5 Porthos Maestro WH Z: 2014 Zangersheide gelding (Picasso Z x Ogano Sitte)Owners: H5 Sport Horses, Sara Maria Guerreiro & Carlos Hank Gonzalez
Faults/Time: 0/0/39.98 - Marilyn Little (USA) & La Contessa: 2015 Mecklenburg mare (License x Cornet’s Prinz)
Owner: Marilyn Little
Faults/Time: 0/0/40.55 - Tom Wachman (IRL) & Do It Easy: 2013 Selle Français gelding (Vigo Cece x Laeken)
Owner: Coolmore Showjumping
Faults/Time: 0/0/40.61 - Bertram Allen (IRL) & Qonquest De Rigo: 2016 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Fantomas de Muze x Indoctro)
Owner: Ballywalter Stables, Ltd.
Faults/Time: 0/0/40.65 - Cian O’Connor (IRL) & Iron Man: 2013 Zangersheide gelding (Charisma Z x Mr Blue)
Owner: Karlswood Partners
Faults/Time: 0/0/41.34
