The 2023 Fall Series returned this week for its third week of competition, ESP Fall III. The $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Stake commenced this week's competition on the Derby Field with twenty-five horse-and-rider combinations taking to the course. Of the twenty-five pairs, seven returned for the shortened course with only two going clear. In the end, Riley Delbecq (USA) and Todd Minikus LTD’s Cardozo 4, reigned supreme with a time of 43.848 seconds. Earning the second-place title was Juan Jose Bancalari (DOM) aboard his own Ballypatrick Flamenco, with a clear 45.293 time while Maya Ines Denis Chambon (MEX) rounded out the podium with her own entry, Postin LS LA Silla, with a four-fault 43.267 time.
Taking place adjacent to the Derby Field was the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Pilates Rocks. Held on the Derby Field Annex, the class was held in a “Hunt and Go” format, meaning the first seven jumps of the course were judged as the classic round, and jumps 8-13 were judged as the Handy round. Eight competitors tried their hand at the course, but it was Maggie Jacobs (USA) who came out on top.
Jacobs and her mount, Cassinir, owned by Pony Up Sporthorses LTC., were the second pair to show across the course, setting a high score of 173 for her competitors to follow. On Jacobs’ heels was Isabela de Sousa (USA) and Sergent Stables, LLC’s Diara Blue. The pair scored a 169 as last to go in the class, just four points shy of the leading title. Sousa also rounded out the podium aboard another one of Sergent Stables LLC’s mounts, GFS Mikado, with a combined score of 163.
Saturday’s competition kicked off with the $5,000 Florida Coast Equipment 1.35m Stake on the Derby Field. Seventeen horse-and-rider pairs tried their hand at the course, with only three returning for the jump-off. Earning the quickest fault-free time of 40.65 seconds was Maya Ines Denis Chambon (MEX) with her mount, Lady Conor, owned by Rupert Carl Winkelmann. Right on their heels to take home the red ribbon was Jared Peterson (USA) with Jordan Peterson’s Kawir MS, with a clear 42.779 and taking home the third place title was Spencer Smith (USA) with Ashland Farm’s Theodore Manciais, with a four-fault time of 43.769.
Sunday morning a crowd gathered as riders of all ages took to the Wellington Equestrian Realty Ring II to showcase their best ensembles for the annual Halloween Costume contest. With appearances from a Headless Horseman, Cowboy Barbie, Willy Wonka and the Tooth Fairy, there were enough giggles and inside jokes to go around.
The $25,000 Perfect Products Grand Prix took place late Sunday morning to round out competition at the Equestrian Village before migrating back to the main Wellington International showgrounds for the rest of the Annual Series. A total of thirty-three competitors took to the 13-obstacle course, with thirteen returning for the tie-breaking jump-off. Maya Ines Denis Chambon (MEX) pulled out all of the stops, earning herself a double podium finish of both first and second place. Aboard her own entry, Callypso De La Hamente Z, Chambon managed to slice and dice her way around the course to secure herself the leading title with a clear 38.582 seconds. Chambon also earned herself the red ribbon aboard Postin LS La Silla with a double-clear 40.439 seconds. Settling into the thrid place position was USA’s Michael Murphy and Esperanza Imports, LLC’s Moneypenny, with a double-clear 40.711.
Wellington International’s Fall series continues on November 2nd with the ESP Fall Finale from November 2-5, 2023. The ESP Fall Series will be heading to the main grounds of Wellington International the first week of November and will remain at Wellington International for the remainder of the ESP Annual Series.
Join us for an action-packed night under the lights on Saturday, November 4th! The spotlight will be on the International Ring as 1.30m - 1.45m schooling will be taking place. Bring your whole family to experience all the magic of Wellington International including dining at the Tiki Hut, stopping by our petting zoo and catching a ride on the carousel!
