In a finish befitting of International Women’s Day, Belgium’s Emilie Conter stormed to a win in the $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix during Winter Equestrian Festival’s (WEF) ‘Saturday Night Lights’ on March 8. Highlighted by 12 weeks of consecutive FEI competition and four five-stars, WEF continues at Wellington International through March 30 in Wellington, FL.
In the irons of Portobella van de Fruitkorf, Conter bested a seven-horse jump-off over the Alan Wade (IRL) built course. From a field that included six of the world’s top ten ranked riders, the 24-year-old claimed the first five-star victory of her career.
“It hasn't sunk in yet; I'm super happy with my horse and my team for making this happen,” said a beaming Conter at the evening’s press conference. “I saw a really long [distance] to the last oxer and I heard Helena [Stormanns] scream ‘go get it!’, so I took it. I didn’t think it was going to be enough to beat these other riders, but I looked up and saw that I was in first.”
Stopping the clock a second off the winning pace, Olympic team gold medalist Harry Charles (GBR) settled for runner-up aboard Sherlock, a 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Bisquet Balou C x Malito de Reve) owned by Peter Charles & Stall Zet. World no. 1 and reigning FEI World Cup™ Champion Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) took third on his Olympic partner King Edward, a 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Edward 28 x FEO) owned by Dufour Stables AG.
Conter has had the ride on Portobella van de Fruitkorf (Bamako de Muze x Nabab De Reve)—a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood—since the mare was seven.
“We've come a long way,” she said about the mare owned by Stephex Stables and Paul Swinnen. “We took it very slow in the beginning because I always knew she was special. There are no words for her. When I first started riding her, she was a bit colder but always had massive scope. When she was younger, she was not so impressed with the small jumps but now the bigger the fences, the better she jumps.”
With several previous connections of Portobella van de Fruitkorf watching along with Conter’s visiting grandparents from a sold-out crowd, the victory was made extra sweet for Conter. Capping the night, her groom Lisa Sorg earned the Double H Farm Grooms Award and $500 prize for her care and preparation of Portobella van de Fruitkorf.
After taking second with Sherlock, Charles noted how the up-and-coming mount impressed in the Wellington International atmosphere. “It's nearly as good an atmosphere as anywhere in the world,” said Charles, who came to Wellington for the first time in 2024 and spent the season there this year. “I didn't plan on jumping Sherlock in too many of the bigger classes under the lights; he's still quite green at night, but tonight he jumped better than I could have hoped. I thought the course builder did a great job—you saw the perfect amount in the jump-off. I’m very happy with second place.”
This season, Von Eckermann is focused on building back some lost confidence with his famed mount King Edward. “He jumped fantastic,” exclaimed Von Eckermann. “He jumped a very good indoor season but in the jump-offs that were full speed, I’m a guy who wants to win and pushed a little too much and we lost a little confidence. He feels good and is jumping better and better with every show. These Saturday nights are fantastic and I'm looking forward to the [Rolex Finale] WEF 12.”
Von Eckermann himself suffered a hand injury from a fall earlier in the WEF season and wore a brace on Saturday night as he continues to recover, concluding, “It's always the same; in the ring adrenaline is going and you want to do it and then afterwards you feel it, but it could have been worse and I’m happy that I’m able to continue riding. Emilie did a fantastic job tonight and I’m very happy for her.”
Competition returns to the International Arena on Sunday with the Week 9 edition of the Hermès 1.50m Championship Jumper Series before attention turns to the final five-star of the season during Rolex Finale week in the $750,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix on March 29. To view full results from the $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix, click HERE. For complete WEF 9 results, click HERE.
Top Five Results: $500,000 Bainbridge Companies CSI5* Grand Prix
- Emilie Conter (BEL) & Portobella van de Fruitkorf: 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare (Bamako de Muze x Nabab De Reve)
Owner: Stephex Stables & Paul Swinnen
Faults/Time: 0/0/42.43 - Harry Charles (GBR) & Sherlock: 2013 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Bisquet Balou C x Malito de Reve)
Owner: Peter Charles & Stall Zet
Faults/Time: 0/0/43.33 - Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) & King Edward: 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Edward 28 x FEO)
Owners: Dufour Stables AG
Faults/Time: 0/0/43.88 - Tom Wachman (IRL) & Tabasco de Toxandria Z: 2015 Zangersheide stallion (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve x Cento Lano)
Owner: Coolmore Showjumping
Faults/Time: 0/0/45.63 - Darragh Kenny (IRL) & Zero K: 2014 Danish Warmblood mare (Kannan x Robin Z)
Owner: Andrzej Oplatek
Faults/Time: 0/4/41.99
